Overview
“Bashu, the Little Stranger” is a poignant Iranian drama directed by Bahram Beizai, set against the backdrop of the Iran-Iraq War. The film tells the story of a young Afro-Iranian boy named Bashu who loses his family during a bombing raid in his home village in Khuzestan province.
Plot Summary
After witnessing the tragic death of his parents and destruction of his home, Bashu escapes by stowing away on a cargo truck heading north. He arrives in a rural area that is vastly different from his war-torn southern homeland, where he encounters Naii, a Gilak woman who is struggling to raise her two children alone while her husband is away seeking work.
Initially, Naii is hesitant to accept Bashu into her home due to cultural differences and language barriers—Bashu speaks Arabic while Naii and her children communicate in Gilaki. However, as time passes, they begin to form a bond based on mutual need and compassion. Naii provides care for Bashu as he grapples with post-traumatic stress disorder from his traumatic experiences.
Despite facing prejudice from the local villagers who ridicule Bashu for his dark skin and foreign dialect, he gradually earns their acceptance. A pivotal moment occurs when Bashu reads aloud from a school textbook in Persian, declaring “We are all the children of Iran,” which helps bridge some of the cultural divides.
The film culminates with Naii’s husband returning home from the war missing an arm and initially disapproving of Bashu’s presence. However, through shared experiences of loss and hardship, they ultimately embrace him as part of their family. The film concludes with a scene depicting unity and joy as they all run together in the fields.
Conclusion
“Bashu, the Little Stranger” explores themes of trauma, acceptance, and familial bonds amidst cultural diversity and societal prejudices during a tumultuous period in Iranian history.
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