Taste of Cherry 1997
Abbas Kiarostami's *Taste of Cherry (1997)* is a quietly devastating Persian-language drama that lingers like the dust on Tehran's backstreets. Homayoun Ershadi stars as Mr.
Director: Abbas Kiarostami
Cast
Homayoun Ershadi
Mr. Badii
Abdolrahman Bagheri
Mr. Bagheri
Safar Ali Moradi
Soldier
Mir Hossein Noori
Seminarian
Elham Imani
Photographer
Afshin Khorshid Bakhtiari
Worker
Ahmad Ansari
Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taste of Cherry (1997) about?
*Taste of Cherry* follows Mr. Badii, a man in Tehran who drives through the city searching for someone to bury him after he takes his own life. He offers money to strangers, including a soldier, a seminarian, and a taxidermist, but their responses force him—and the viewer—to confront the value of life itself.
Who directed Taste of Cherry?
Abbas Kiarostami directed *Taste of Cherry*. Known for his meditative storytelling and humanist themes, Kiarostami crafts a film that's both intimate and universally resonant.
Who stars in Taste of Cherry?
Homayoun Ershadi leads the cast as Mr. Badii, joined by Abdolrahman Bagheri, Safar Ali Moradi, and Mir Hossein Noori.
Is Taste of Cherry (1997) worth watching?
While *Taste of Cherry* demands patience, its philosophical depth and Kiarostami's signature restraint make it a rewarding experience. The film's quiet intensity and open-ended questions linger, leaving a lasting impact. It's a must-watch for fans of arthouse cinema and existential drama.
How long is Taste of Cherry?
*Taste of Cherry* runs for 99 minutes.
🎥 Trailer
About Taste of Cherry (1997) — A Man's Search for Meaning in Abbas Kiarostami's Masterpiece
Abbas Kiarostami's *Taste of Cherry (1997)* is a quietly devastating Persian-language drama that lingers like the dust on Tehran's backstreets. Homayoun Ershadi stars as Mr. Badii, a middle-aged man whose calm demeanor hides a desperate mission: he's determined to end his life and desperately needs someone to bury him after. As he drives through the city's outskirts in his Range Rover, Badii approaches strangers—an Afghan soldier, a Kurdish seminarian, a Turkish taxidermist—offering money in exchange for a post-mortem favor. Their reactions, from revulsion to reluctant pity, reveal as much about their own struggles as they do about the weight of human connection. The film's slow, contemplative pace and sparse dialogue draw viewers into a meditation on existence, sacrifice, and the fragile threads that bind us to life.
Kiarostami's masterpiece doesn't flinch from the harsh realities of its premise, yet it's infused with a melancholic beauty that lingers long after the credits roll. The arid landscapes, muted colors, and minimalist score amplify the tension between Badii's resolve and the world's indifference. When he finally finds a desperate man willing to take the job—not for the money, but out of pity—the encounter becomes a fragile lifeline, if only for a moment.
