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The Cow

Released 1969
Runtime 105
Language Farsi
Director Dariush Mehrjui

What it’s about

For Hassan (Entezami), who resides an a remote village in Iran, nothing is more important than his cow, since he relies on the animal for his own sustenance. When the cow dies under mysterious circumstances while he's away, Hassan is so distraught by the loss that he begins to suffer a delusion that affects him spiritually and bodily.  

Why we love it

Simple yet powerfully moving, Mehrjui's fable examines the intimate link between a humble peasant and his beloved bovine companion. Taking some cues from the Italian neo-realists, Mehrjui allows his story to unfold slowly and gracefully, with delicate attention to the fading lifeways of a rural community. Petty rivalries and primitive suspicions lay the groundwork for a fantastical finale you won't soon forget. Don't miss this watershed in Iranian cinema.     

Ezzatolah Entezami, Mahin Shahabi Dariush Mehrjui

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