Storyline
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?
Cast & Crew
MA
Mahshid Afsharzadeh
Gypsy Woman
LeadFK
Firouz Kiani
Motorcyclist
Samira Makhmalbaf
—
Mohammadreza Maleki
Jomeh
Esmail Soltanian
Showman
MZ
Moharram Zaynalzadeh
Nasim
What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Mohsen Makhmalbaf's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. The Cyclist is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
