Taste of Cherry

Taste of Cherry

Year: 1998

Runtime: 95 min

Language: Persian

Director: Abbas Kiarostami

Drama

A middle-aged man named Mr. Badii drives through Tehran searching for someone willing to bury him after he dies. As he journeys through the city, the seemingly mundane backdrop of urban life contrasts with his unusual request. He encounters various people, including a young, religious student and a truck driver, each interaction offering a glimpse into their own lives and perspectives. Ultimately, he finds an unexpected individual who agrees to his request, leading to a poignant exploration of life, death, and human connection.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Taste of Cherry (1998)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Taste of Cherry (1998). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1960s

The story touches upon the 1960s, a period marked by social and political upheaval in Iran. This time saw shifts in cultural attitudes and ideologies, influencing the lives and decisions of many individuals, including those grappling with existential crises such as the film's protagonist.

Location

Tehran

Tehran, the capital of Iran, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis known for its rich history and culture. The city's streets are filled with a mix of modernity and tradition, showcasing its diverse population and lively atmosphere. The surrounding mountains and parks also provide a natural escape from the urban landscape.

🏙️ City 🌳 Nature

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

Main Characters – Taste of Cherry (1998)

Meet the key characters of Taste of Cherry (1998), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Badii

Badii is a middle-aged man faced with a profound existential crisis as he contemplates suicide. Throughout the film, he seeks companionship and understanding from others, revealing his vulnerability. His character embodies the struggle between despair and the quest for a reason to live.

😟 Despair 🤔 Introspection

Abdolrahman Bagheri

Abdolrahman Bagheri is a compassionate Azeri taxidermist who, despite his own struggles with life's burdens, tries to dissuade Badii from his decision. He represents hope and resilience, sharing his own journey and the transformative power of appreciating life's beauty.

💔 Sacrifice 🌟 Hope

Kurdish Soldier

The young Kurdish soldier embodies innocence and fear as he grapples with the weight of Badii's request. His immediate exit from the car showcases the overwhelming nature of Badii's situation and the struggles many face when confronted with such heavy topics.

😨 Fear 🚷 Abandonment

Afghan Seminarist

The Afghan seminarist represents traditional values and moral beliefs, highlighting the conflict between religious teachings and personal choices. His rejection of Badii's request emphasizes the moral complexities surrounding the subject of suicide.

✝️ Religion 📜 Moral Dilemma

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

Major Themes – Taste of Cherry (1998)

Explore the central themes of Taste of Cherry (1998), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌧️ Existentialism

The theme of existentialism permeates the film as Badii confronts the meaning of life and death. His journey reflects struggles with despair, purpose, and the search for meaning in an often unforgiving world. Through his conversations, the film explores the value of life and the impact of human connections.

🌳 Beauty of Existence

The beauty of existence is a central theme illustrated through Bagheri's passionate depiction of life's wonders. Despite the heavy subject matter, the film encourages appreciation for nature and life's small joys, symbolized by the mulberries, which serve as a reminder of hope and renewal.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 21:28

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Philosophical road trip movies like Taste of Cherry

Meditative journeys where the destination is a state of mind, not a place.If you appreciated the meditative drive and existential conversations in Taste of Cherry, you'll find similar stories here. These films use journeys—literal or metaphorical—to explore themes of meaning, mortality, and human connection, often with a slow, thoughtful pace and heavy emotional weight.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread follow a protagonist on a physical journey that is secondary to their internal, philosophical quest. The plot is often simple, driven by a series of encounters with strangers who each offer a different perspective on the central theme. The conflict is primarily internal, and the resolution is often ambiguous, focusing on the questions raised rather than a definitive conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a specific narrative structure and mood: a slow, contemplative pace, a focus on existential themes, and a journey motif. They prioritize atmosphere and ideas over plot, creating a similarly introspective and melancholic viewing experience.

Movies about mortality and existential crisis like Taste of Cherry

Stories that approach the subject of death with quiet gravity and philosophical depth.For viewers who were moved by the heavy themes of suicide and existential dread in Taste of Cherry, this collection offers similar films. These dramas explore life and death with a serious, contemplative tone, focusing on the philosophical and emotional weight of mortality rather than dramatic event.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a character grappling with a profound existential crisis, often related to their own mortality or the desire to end their life. The story unfolds through introspective moments and dialogues that explore different viewpoints on life's value. The central dilemma is moral and philosophical, leading to an ending that is frequently ambiguous or open to interpretation.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their solemn and unflinching focus on death as a philosophical concept. They share a heavy emotional weight, a melancholic tone, and a preference for psychological depth over action. The similarity lies in the sober, respectful, and deeply human way they handle their difficult subject matter.

Unlock the Full Story of Taste of Cherry

Don't stop at just watching — explore Taste of Cherry in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Taste of Cherry is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Taste of Cherry Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Taste of Cherry, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Taste of Cherry Summary

Taste of Cherry Timeline

Track the full timeline of Taste of Cherry with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Taste of Cherry Timeline

Taste of Cherry Spoiler-Free Summary

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Taste of Cherry Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Taste of Cherry

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Taste of Cherry: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Taste of Cherry

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Discover movies like Taste of Cherry that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.