This certainly isn't a great film, but it is entertaining, and even more so since it takes place in Iran. Most, if not all movies that take place in the Middle Eastern are set in Arabic countries. So much so that even in this day in age most people in the West associate the Mid-East solely with the Arabs.
But this movie is unique in that it not only takes place in Iran, a non-Arab country, but it was also filmed there as well, right before the Revolution, which technically began in '78 but was firmly established the year later.
The turmoil of the Revolution took place in the major urban centers, which this movie was filmed far away from, in the desert areas of the province of Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan. The Baluch are an Iranian people, related to the Persians, Kurds, Azari's, etc. with their own distinct culture and heritage.
What really makes this film interesting is that they portray the Baluch and their dress and customs fairly accurately. It's obvious the filmmakers did their homework and actually put some effort in learning about the various Iranian ethnic groups and the differences between them. For example, the Baluch have had plenty of conflicts with the central government for quite some time, and this fact is made good use of in the movie. Even today the Baluch create problems for the central government every now and then, what with all the smuggling going on, which is their primary trade.
All in all, if you're looking for something unique, give this movie a shot. Don't expect too much in the way of story or acting, but you're sure to find the scenery and the exposure to a different culture interesting.
As a sidenote, it's interesting (but not surprising given Western ignorance) the two other reviewers were under the vastly mistaken impression that the movie was concerned with an Arabic or "bedouin" tribe, since there are no such tribes in Iran and also despite the fact that the film quite emphatically makes it clear that the tribe is Baluchi. You'd think people would realize that Iran is not an Arab country by now.
But this movie is unique in that it not only takes place in Iran, a non-Arab country, but it was also filmed there as well, right before the Revolution, which technically began in '78 but was firmly established the year later.
The turmoil of the Revolution took place in the major urban centers, which this movie was filmed far away from, in the desert areas of the province of Baluchistan, which borders Pakistan. The Baluch are an Iranian people, related to the Persians, Kurds, Azari's, etc. with their own distinct culture and heritage.
What really makes this film interesting is that they portray the Baluch and their dress and customs fairly accurately. It's obvious the filmmakers did their homework and actually put some effort in learning about the various Iranian ethnic groups and the differences between them. For example, the Baluch have had plenty of conflicts with the central government for quite some time, and this fact is made good use of in the movie. Even today the Baluch create problems for the central government every now and then, what with all the smuggling going on, which is their primary trade.
All in all, if you're looking for something unique, give this movie a shot. Don't expect too much in the way of story or acting, but you're sure to find the scenery and the exposure to a different culture interesting.
As a sidenote, it's interesting (but not surprising given Western ignorance) the two other reviewers were under the vastly mistaken impression that the movie was concerned with an Arabic or "bedouin" tribe, since there are no such tribes in Iran and also despite the fact that the film quite emphatically makes it clear that the tribe is Baluchi. You'd think people would realize that Iran is not an Arab country by now.