Following the Soviet invasion and subsequent civil conflict, numerous Afghans sought safety by crossing into Iran, where they faced hardship trying to stay alive. They took on low-paying jobs, encountered mistreatment from authorities, and were largely overlooked by those living in Iran. Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s 1987 film *The Cyclist* functions as a symbolic representation of the challenges experienced by Afghan refugees. Nasim (played by Moharram Zaynalzadeh) is burdened with his wife's medical expenses and raising his son, Jomeh (Mohammad Reza Maleki), but even incredibly difficult work digging wells isn’t enough to cover costs. When a local entrepreneur discovers Nasim previously rode a bicycle for an extended period without stopping, he presents the desperate man with a chance to secure his family's future: ride a bicycle continuously within a temporary circus setting. Makhmalbaf conveys Nasim’s diminished sense of self by giving him very little dialogue; much of the film focuses on conversations between gamblers and local officials who hope to gain or lose from Nasim’s performance, while he repeatedly goes around and around in the background. The movie would be deeply moving even as a straightforward story, but Makhmalbaf enhances its emotional impact with touches of magical realism. While not quite as polished as some of his later works like *Nun va guldoon* (*A Moment of Innocence*), this remains a noteworthy film and it’s clear how it helped build Makhmalbaf's international standing. Iranian cinema offers many worthwhile experiences, and this is certainly one of its finest achievements.

Source on TMDB