The first film in Abbas Kiarostami’s sublime, interlacing trilogy of films set in the northern Iranian village of Koker takes a premise of fable-like simplicity—a boy searches for the home of his classmate whose school notebook he has accidentally taken—and transforms it into a miraculous, child’s-eye adventure of the everyday. As our young hero zigzags determinedly across two towns aided (and sometimes misdirected) by those he encounters, his quest becomes both a revealing portrait of Iranian society in all its richness and complexity and a touching parable about the meaning of personal responsibility. Shot through with all the wonder, beauty, tension, and mystery one day can contain, Where is the Friend’s House? established Kiarostami’s reputation as one cinema’s most sensitive and profound humanists.
“It’s about making discoveries and cherishing what’s in the world - including things that we can’t understand.” –Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Coral Gables Art Cinema is excited to present a week-long series celebrating Iranian cinema's vibrant heritage, from June 14 to 20. This carefully curated selection features nine films that have left a mark on the global cinematic landscape, including A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night, A Man of Integrity, A Separation, Far from Home, Leila, No Bears, Persepolis, Terrestrial Verses, and Where is the Friend’s House. This collection not only highlights Iranian filmmakers' enduring influence and importance but invites audiences to embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Iran's cinematic artistry.