Bashu, the Little Stranger (1986)

A simple, human, quite touching Iranian film, about a 10 year old boy whose family is killed when the Persian Gulf is bombed by Iraq. Fleeing the war, he stows away on a truck and ends up in the verdant, peaceful north, where he struggles to fit in and start a new life. His adopted new small town is suspicious of outsiders, especially those with darker skin, and the boy speaks Arabic, whereas the locals speak a regional language. But he slowly finds his way, and finds love in a gentle, big hearted film about family, re-birth and hope.It's amazing how many good films have come out of Iran over the last generation. It's really become one of the last bastions of thoughtful, humanistic drama.

I had a lot nostalgia with this movie despite it was my first time watching this movie. During the war between Iran and Iraq a boy who's from south-east where is affected from war more than anywhere. By hiding in a truck accidentally goes to north of Iran. The safest place during the war. It seems people are not aware of the war. It was funny for me that these people never seen a person with dark side and they were laughing at Bashu. Susan Taslimi was great. In my opinion she is the best Persian actress. I'm so sad she left Iran that soon and she didn't act in more movies. All her movies worth watching at least for seeing her act. This movie was boycotted for about 4 years. They said this movie is antiwar and is not a propel movie during the war. But it has shown after the war on 1990.

Bashu is a moving film about a young Iranian boy who's family is killed during a bombing raid. Bashu escapes by stowing away in the back of a truck and ends up in a completely different part of Iran. He is adopted by Naii, a mother of two young children who's husband is away looking for work. Bashu is nervous at first, especially as the townpeople are so hostile towards him, but Naii makes him welcome in a very touching and loving way. Naii is a very special person, combining gentleness and love with great strength. She has complete faith in Bashu and is rewarded in return with his smiles and happiness.I loved the scene with the other young boys of the village in the crop to help the plants grow quicker. The drumming was a recurring subject, and is particularly powerful when Bashu is drumming when Naii is sick. I thought the calling to the hawks showed a connection between Naii and Bashu but also added an earthiness and naturalness to both their characters. This is a very moving film and I recommend to anyone.

Most striking in this Middle-Eastern film are the subtle reflection of the beautiful nature against a background of a senseless war and intolerant human beings. You can see the film just for enjoyment and you can keep thinking about every scene for a long time.The story begins with Bashu, the child who wakes up seeing his mother burning up in flames, his father disappearing under wreckage of their house and his sister vanishing in the midst of Iraqi bombardment during Iraq-Iran war. The perplexed child gets deaf and run into the back of a truck, which carries him to another part of the country. The same country, yet entirely a different world: another language, another skin color, different clothes, more green fields, less sand, different Iranians...etc.So much difference in a country supposed to be made of one nation. An illusion most authorities in the region try make their people believe in instead of encouraging tolerance among their subjects. However, Bashu would be lucky enough to find the mother Naii who is a strong woman, independent, courageous and stubborn. She is caring for her two children, chickens and other animals and gives Bashu enough tenderness that makes him smile again despite the new environment, the new language, the rejection of other villagers and flash backs of his tragic family loss. It is no wonder that Bashu sees the ghost of his real mother most of the time next to Naii.A less convincing scene was the return of Naii's husband. It might be due to censorship that it would be said in the film that Naii's husband was looking for work. It is more digestible for the audience to be told that the man has lost this arm in the war than saying that he lost it while looking for work!Bahram Beizai shows us how independent and smart a woman can be, yet feminine and loveable.