After seeing one or two Abbas Kiarostami directed films, friends had recommended the Koker Trilogy – not an official trilogy but three films shot in the Iranian village of Koker. Where Is The Friend’s Home? (1987; Khane-ye dust kojast) was added to Mubi recently and I was very keen to see it. Whenever I see a Kiarostami movie, I think of how simple they are – but “simple” is a reductive description, they are quite complex and deep movies. Maybe it’s more that the scenarios are everyday and neo-realistic. We focus on a classroom of boys and the stern teacher who admonishes a student Mohammed (Babek Ahmed Poor) for not bringing his homework in his notebook; this is his final warning. Our main character, Ahmed (Ahmed Ahmed Poor), watches with sadness as Mohammed – his friend – cries openly in class. Later in the afternoon at his home, Ahmed realises he has both he and Mohammed’s notebook after a mix up walking from school together. His mother tells him to do his homework and doesn’t take in the severity of this mix-up, that Mohammed would be expelled for not doing his homework in his notebook. Ahmed makes a bold move, running off to return the notebook, a huge moment accompanied by Amine Allah Hessine’s score. A simple action but not without challenge as the friend lives in the next village over a hill and Ahmed doesn’t know the location. Along the way, he meets people who either try to help him or waste his time. We are there with Ahmed in close-ups as he looks up wide-eyed at the adults who don’t listen to him or dismiss his kind-hearted mission. By the end of the movie and its perfect closing moments, I had a heavy heart and tears in my eyes. What a thing of beauty. An ode to duty, friendship, loyalty, perseverance – but all presented as everyday and matter of fact. The use of non-actors and the framing of particular shots feels like a particular magic act. All presented in an 83-minute movie that never feels cloying or overly sentimental – but is on the children’s side, particularly with Ahmed’s strong performance – what a heroic character. Available to stream on Mubi (and Criterion Channel). Recommended.
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