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Gabbeh is a 1996 Iranian film by director Mohsen Makhmalbaf that tells the story of a young woman, Gabbeh, and her search for love and freedom. The film is set against the stunning backdrop of the Iranian countryside, and it weaves together a poetic and visually striking narrative. The film begins with a group of nomadic rug weavers working on a colourful Gabbeh, which is a type of Persian rug. The film then transitions to a beautiful young woman, also named Gabbeh, who wanders alone in the countryside. She is dressed in a brightly coloured dress – reminiscent of the Gabbeh rug – and her presence is striking against the barren landscape.

Gabbeh is in love with a young man named Mashdi, whom she has only seen once at a village festival. She longs to be with him, but her family forbids her from marrying him because of his lower social status. Gabbeh dreams of running away with Mashdi, but her dreams are met with resistance from both her family and the cultural traditions of Iran.

As the film progresses, we learn more about Gabbeh's family and their own struggles with love and relationships. Her parents, for instance, have a strained relationship, and her grandmother was once in love with a man who was forced to marry another woman. These stories are all woven into the tapestry of Gabbeh's own quest.

Throughout the film, Gabbeh is pursued by a mysterious horseman who rides through the countryside on a white horse. The horseman seems to be a symbol of freedom and mobility, and Gabbeh is drawn to him even as she tries to navigate the strictures of her society. The horseman also appears in the Gabbeh rug, which is itself a symbol of the interconnectedness of all things.

The visual imagery in Gabbeh is stunning, and it captures the beauty of the Iranian countryside in breathtaking detail. Many scenes are shot in long, static takes, which adds to the contemplative nature of the film. The use of colour is also especially striking, with bright oranges, blues, and greens contrasting with the stark browns and grays of the natural landscape.

The performances in Gabbeh are excellent, with Shaghayeh Djodat giving a compelling portrayal of Gabbeh as a passionate and determined young woman. Hossein Moharami and Rogheih Moharami also give strong performances as Gabbeh's parents, who are torn between their love for their daughter and the weight of cultural expectations.

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is its exploration of the tension between tradition and individual desire. Gabbeh is torn between her own desire for love and her duty to her family and society. This tension is mirrored in the stories of her family members, who have all faced similar conflicts.

Despite its universal themes, Gabbeh is also a deeply Iranian film, and it offers a fascinating window into Iranian culture and society. The film was critically acclaimed when it was released in 1996, and it has since become a classic of Iranian cinema. It is a beautiful and moving work of art that explores the complexities of love, tradition, and personal freedom in a poetic and visually stunning way.

Gabbeh is a 1996 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.