Watch Blackboards

Blackboards, a 2000 movie by the Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi, tells the story of two itinerant teachers traversing the mountainous terrain along the Iran-Iraq border. Said Mohamadi and Behnaz Jafari play the roles of two teachers who move from one remote village to another, carrying blackboards on their backs. At the beginning of the movie, we are introduced to Raman, played by Said Mohamadi, a teacher of the Kurdish language. Toting his battered blackboard, Raman struggles up steep, rocky inclines in pursuit of nomadic students who flee from Iran's conscribed education system. As he wanders, Raman shares the frustrations of him and his ilk: "We carry lifeless blackboards, but nobody wants to learn", he lamented.

At a refugee camp near the border, Raman meets a group of old men on the run from the Iraqi Army. Here, he comes across Sheyesteh, played by Behnaz Jafari, who teaches writing. Sheyesteh comes from the city and can speak Farsi in contrast to Raman, who speaks Kurdish exclusively. Despite their differences, the two teachers unite, and their journey begins.

The theme of migration comes to the fore in this movie as we learn that both Raman and Sheyesteh are outsiders, fleeing something. Raman is escaping the conscription forced upon him, and Sheyesteh has left her home behind, perhaps due to a tragedy she experienced.

The movie presents striking themes of hopelessness, isolation, and failure. Despite their efforts to teach the children and adults they meet, many are either unwilling, unable, or uninterested in learning. The two teachers pass through different groups of refugees, soldiers, and nomads, and at every spot, they encounter obstacles that make their quest seem futile.

One scene in the movie beautifully depicts the complexity and harshness of modern-day existence. The scene takes place in a field full of shepherds and sheep, each of them carrying unique stories of hardship and persecution. In this scene, Raman tries to teach a group of young boys how to read and write, using the examples of the language they know and the environment in which they live. But his attempts prove futile, and he is harshly told off by one of the shepherds, "The land teaches them nothing other than hunger and war."

In contrast to the dark themes of the movie, there are moments of hope throughout the film. In one instance, Raman meets an old man travelling with his grandson. Although the boy is initially uninterested, eventually, he warms up to Raman and starts to learn from him. The movie conveys that education can be a powerful tool, breaking down existing prejudices and providing the skills to overcome hardships.

Ghobadi's direction is superb, with magnificent camera work showcasing the rugged terrain and the harshness of the landscape. His ability to capture the challenges and strife of life in remote regions is an achievement in itself.

The acting by Said Mohamadi and Behnaz Jafari is first-rate. The chemistry between the two teachers is excellent, and both actors fully immerse themselves in the parts. The dialogue is minimal yet powerful, and the duo conveys more with their expressions than they do with words.

The musical score in Blackboards is haunting, complementing the themes of the movie perfectly. The sound of each scene blends perfectly with the visuals, creating an atmosphere of desperation.

Overall, Blackboards is a movie that makes a profound impact upon its viewers. The film presents harsh realities and difficult circumstances but also shows the resilience of the human spirit. The journey of Raman and Sheyesteh is a metaphor for the trials and tribulations of life, reminding viewers that learning, hope, and perseverance can make the impossible possible.