Hassan Yektapanah, former assistant director to master filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami, makes his debut with this gentle look at difficulties faced by foreigners living in Iran. The film centers on Djomeh (Jalil Nazari), an Afghani refugee who works in a small dairy farm near a remote mountain village. His older roommate and fellow countryman Habib (Rashid Akbari) watches over the youth like a brother. His Iranian boss, Mr. Mahmoud (Mahmoud Behraznia), is a sweet-natured old man who takes a shine to Djomeh's hardworking ways. The villagers are less sympathetic to Afghanis, though. Children hurl rocks at them while adults hurl slurs. When Djomeh falls for the daughter of a local shopkeeper, he is at a loss for what to do. Under strict Islamic law, he cannot speak with her directly -- a family member must act on his behalf. Unfortunately, Djomeh has no family and frets as to whether or not to ask Mr. Mahmoud for help. This film was screened at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.
~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide