The Cyclist

6.7 / 10

(31 votes)

The wife of Nasim, an Afghan immigrant in Iran, is gravely ill. He needs money to pay for her care, but his day labor digging wells does not pay enough. A friend connects Nasim to a two-bit promoter who sells tickets to watch Nasim ride a bicycle continuously for a week. The promoter brings in sick and aged spectators, haranguing them to find hope in Nasim's strength. Aided by his son, who feeds him as he rides, Nasim grinds out the days and shivering nights. Local officials believe this may be a plot and Nasim may be a spy; they try to sabotage him as do those who bet he won't finish the week. Will desperation alone get Nasim the money? Is any triumph an illusion?

Country:

Iran

Genre:

Drama

Duration:

79 minutes

Year:

1989

Director:

Mohsen Makhmalbaf

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Company:

Bonyad Mostazafan

Cast:
Mahshid Afsharzadeh

Gypsy Woman

Firouz Kiani

Motorcyclist

Samira Makhmalbaf

Mohammadreza Maleki

Jomeh

Esmail Soltanian

Showman

Crew:
Mohsen Makhmalbaf

Director

Mohsen Makhmalbaf

Writer

Morteza Masa'eli

Assistant Director

Mohsen Makhmalbaf

Production Design

Ali Reza Zarrindast

Director of Photography