Through The Olive Trees- Abbas Kiarostami • No Survey

Abbas Kiarostami’s 1994 masterpiece Through the Olive Trees is a film where the boundaries between art and life completely dissolve. Set in the aftermath of the devastating 1990 earthquake in Northern Iran, the film follows a local bricklayer named Hossein who lands a role in a movie, only to find himself acting opposite Tahereh—the real-life object of his unrequited love.

Before watching

• Expect slow pacing, layered narrative (film-within-film).
• Note the simplicity of mise-en-scène: natural light, long shots, unobtrusive camera.
• Keep in mind it’s as much about the act of filmmaking and relationships as about plot.

Themes & Interpretations

• Reality vs. representation: the film interrogates how cinema constructs reality and affects subjects’ lives.
• Power and authorship: director as authority — ethical questions about control over nonprofessional actors.
• Love, dignity, social norms: Hossein’s pursuit reveals rural customs, class, and gender dynamics.
• Fate and resilience: post-earthquake setting as backdrop for human endurance and storytelling.

"Through the Olive Trees" is a masterpiece of contemporary cinema, offering a rich and poetic exploration of love, social class, and the human condition. With its stunning cinematography, non-linear narrative, and themes that resonate across cultures, this film is a must-see for anyone interested in world cinema. Through the olive trees- Abbas Kiarostami

Discussion questions

1. Where does the “real” end and the “filmed” begin? Give scene examples.
2. How does Kiarostami use long takes and framing to shape viewer empathy?
3. What ethical obligations do filmmakers have toward nonprofessional participants here?
4. How does the landscape (olive groves, hills) function symbolically?
5. Compare the portrayals of Hossein and Touba: who has agency and how is it shown?

• The Olive Trees: The olive trees in the film symbolize love, peace, and fertility. They also serve as a metaphor for the characters' emotional journeys.
• The Village: The village of Koker represents a microcosm of Iranian society, with its own social hierarchies and traditions.

Review: Through the Olive Trees – The Poetry of Stubbornness

Abbas Kiarostami’s Through the Olive Trees is a film that builds a universe out of a single, simple question: What does it mean to say the wrong thing to someone over and over again? Expect slow pacing, layered narrative (film-within-film)