Watch Bab'Aziz

Bab'Aziz is a 2005 Persian-language drama film directed by Tunisian filmmaker Nacer Khemir. The film stars Parviz Shahinkhou, Maryam Hamid, and Golshifteh Farahani, among others. The movie is set in the North African desert and follows Bab'Aziz, a blind dervish, on a journey to a Sufi gathering that only takes place once every 30 years. Accompanied by his granddaughter, Ishtar, they traverse the endless sand dunes and rocky terrains for days, encountering various characters amidst their travels.

The story follows Bab'Aziz and Ishtar's physical journey, but it is also a spiritual journey that explores themes of love, faith, and interconnectedness. Along the way, they encounter characters with their stories, each in search of their own destination. Despite their differences, they are all united in their quest for their spiritual home.

As they travel further into the desert, the film becomes a contemplative meditation on the human condition. It touches on myriad themes like the finite nature of life, the search for meaning and purpose, and the power of community and connection. The film encourages reflection on what it means to be alive, and on the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth.

The imagery of the film is stunning, with breathtaking landscapes and striking colors. The music is evocative and haunting, with the traditional songs of the desert juxtaposed with modern rhythms. The dialogues are minimalist but poetic, capturing the essence of the characters and their journeys.

Throughout the film, the presence of the divine is palpable, although it is always shrouded in mystery. The Sufi gathering, the final destination of Bab'Aziz and his granddaughter, is presented as a place of transcendence, where the search for God is not just intellectual but experiential.

The performances of the actors are nuanced, particularly Shahinkhou and Hamid, who convey complex emotions through their dialogue and body language. Farahani plays the role of the young Ishtar with aplomb, capturing the innocence and questioning nature of a young girl with ease.

Overall, Bab'Aziz is a beautifully crafted film that inspires a sense of wonder and awe. It invites the viewer to engage with themes of spirituality and the human condition, and it does so in a way that is accessible and relatable. It is a testament to the power of cinema as a tool for reflection and contemplation and is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human experience.

Bab'Aziz is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5.