The Cyclist (1989)
Bicycleran
82 min
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?
- Release date
- February 1, 1989
- Country of origin
- Iran
Where to watch
No streaming options in United States for now. Pick another country.
Cast
- Mahshid Afsharzadeh as Gypsy Woman
- Firouz Kiani as Motorcyclist
- Samira Makhmalbaf as Little Girl
- Mohammad Reza Maleki as Jomeh
- Esmail Soltanian as Showman
- Moharram Zaynalzadeh as Nasim
Crew
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf · Director
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf · Writer
- Alee Payam Mohammadreza · Producer
- Seyed Mohsen Tabatabaeipoor · Producer
- Majid Entezami · Composer
- Ali Reza Zarrindast · Cinematographer
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf · Editor
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf · Production designer