Through the Olive Trees
Encyclopedia
Through the Olive Trees is a 1994
film directed and written by Iran
ian director Abbas Kiarostami
, set in earthquake-ravaged Northern Iran.
It is the final part of Kiarostami's Koker trilogy
, and the plot revolves around the production of the second episode, Life, and Nothing More...
, which itself was a revisitation of the first film, Where Is the Friend's Home?
. Like many of Kiarostami's films, it is filmed in a minimalist, naturalistic way, while also being a complex study of the link between art and life, constantly blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.
The situation complicates further as Hossein still pursues the affections of the young actress while the film goes on. The director learns about this and tries to advise Hossein about what to do. He then illustrates their story and where the conflict began. The girl manages to finish the scene while Hossein woos her and then departs by walking as Hossein runs to follow her.
In a memorable scene, at a great distance, the girl finally gives an answer to Hossein and we are left with him running through a green field and back into the olive grove. The audience is left to wonder what response was given by the girl.
, and was nominated for the Palme d'Or
at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival
. It won the Espiga de Oro at the 1994 Seminci
in Valladolid
. In particular, its ambiguous final scene has been widely discussed and celebrated.
Due to the differences between cultures, western viewers often fail to see that the girl shows interest in Hossein during the film, seeing her as completely cold towards the young man's attention.
Miramax Films
had also acquired the United States
distribution rights to Through the Olive Trees and the film was given a limited US theatrical release in 1995. However, Miramax Films
hasn't released this movie on DVD yet.
1994 in film
1994 was a significant year in film.The top grosser worldwide was The Lion King, which to date stands as the highest-grossing traditionally-animated film of all time...
film directed and written by Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian director Abbas Kiarostami
Abbas Kiarostami
Abbas Kiarostami is an internationally acclaimed Iranian film director, screenwriter, photographer and film producer. An active filmmaker since 1970, Kiarostami has been involved in over forty films, including shorts and documentaries...
, set in earthquake-ravaged Northern Iran.
It is the final part of Kiarostami's Koker trilogy
Koker trilogy
Koker trilogy refers to a series of three films directed by Abbas Kiarostami.Koker trilogy refers to Where Is the Friend's Home? , And Life Goes On and Through the Olive Trees . The designation was done by film theorists and critics...
, and the plot revolves around the production of the second episode, Life, and Nothing More...
Life, and Nothing More...
Life, and Nothing More... is an Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival...
, which itself was a revisitation of the first film, Where Is the Friend's Home?
Where Is the Friend's Home?
Where Is the Friend's Home? is a 1987 Iranian film directed and written by Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami. The title of the film was derived from a poem by Sohrab Sepehri...
. Like many of Kiarostami's films, it is filmed in a minimalist, naturalistic way, while also being a complex study of the link between art and life, constantly blurring the boundaries between fiction and reality.
Plot
Hossein Rezai plays a local stonemason turned actor who, outside the film set, makes a marriage proposal to his leading lady, a student recently orphaned after the earthquake. The family of the girl finds his offer insulting however, as he is poor and illiterate, and the girl decides to evade him because of this. She continues evading him even when they are filming, as she seems to have trouble grasping the difference between her role and real life. The fictional couple takes part in what would be the filming of Life, and Nothing more....The situation complicates further as Hossein still pursues the affections of the young actress while the film goes on. The director learns about this and tries to advise Hossein about what to do. He then illustrates their story and where the conflict began. The girl manages to finish the scene while Hossein woos her and then departs by walking as Hossein runs to follow her.
In a memorable scene, at a great distance, the girl finally gives an answer to Hossein and we are left with him running through a green field and back into the olive grove. The audience is left to wonder what response was given by the girl.
Reception
The film was well received amongst international cinema critics, especially in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, and was nominated for the Palme d'Or
Palme d'Or
The Palme d'Or is the highest prize awarded at the Cannes Film Festival and is presented to the director of the best feature film of the official competition. It was introduced in 1955 by the organising committee. From 1939 to 1954, the highest prize was the Grand Prix du Festival International du...
at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival
1994 Cannes Film Festival
The 1994 Cannes Film Festival started on 12 May and ran until 23 May. The Palme d'Or went to the American film Pulp Fiction directed by Quentin Tarantino.-Official Selection:*Clint Eastwood *Catherine Deneuve...
. It won the Espiga de Oro at the 1994 Seminci
Seminci
Valladolid International Film Festival is a film festival held annually in Valladolid, Spain since 1956....
in Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
. In particular, its ambiguous final scene has been widely discussed and celebrated.
Due to the differences between cultures, western viewers often fail to see that the girl shows interest in Hossein during the film, seeing her as completely cold towards the young man's attention.
Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
had also acquired the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
distribution rights to Through the Olive Trees and the film was given a limited US theatrical release in 1995. However, Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Miramax Films is an American entertainment company known for distributing independent and foreign films. For its first 14 years the company was privately owned by its founders, Bob and Harvey Weinstein...
hasn't released this movie on DVD yet.