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Review: Through the Olive Trees (1994)
Genre: Drama / Romance / Art House
Directed by acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, Through the Olive Trees (1994) is a deeply human, quietly powerful meditation on love, class, and the blurred line between art and life. It is the final part of Kiarostami’s Koker Trilogy and serves as a meta-narrative—telling the story behind the making of the film And Life Goes On, which was itself a sequel to Where Is the Friend’s House?
At the heart of this story is Hossein, a poor, soft-spoken stonemason turned actor who falls in love with his co-star, Tahereh, a girl from a more privileged background. Despite his repeated attempts to win her heart during and after the film shoot, she remains silent, her distance a painful reminder of the societal barriers between them.
What makes Through the Olive Trees extraordinary is its minimalist approach and emotional subtlety. Kiarostami masterfully uses long takes, real locations, and non-professional actors to build a story that feels as authentic as life itself. The repetitive filming of scenes mirrors Hossein’s persistence, and the olive trees themselves become silent witnesses to his longing and rejection.
Though slow-paced, the film is rich with emotional tension and poetic beauty. It’s not about dramatic confrontations or big plot twists—it’s about the small, quiet heartbreaks of everyday life. The final scene, a long shot where we can’t hear the characters’ words, becomes one of the most moving and mysterious endings in cinema.
Through the Olive Trees is a profound reflection on love that’s never fully returned, and the power of hope in the face of silence.
Have you experienced the subtle magic of this film? What are your thoughts on Hossein’s quiet pursuit of Tahereh? Share below!
