What Is Taste of Cherry About?
The premise of Taste of Cherry in 302 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling heart of Tehran, a city where the hiss of traffic and the rhythm of daily life blend into a continuous hum, a solitary figure begins an unexpected quest. Mr. Badii, a middle‑aged man carrying a quiet desperation, drives through the winding streets with a purpose that stands in stark contrast to the ordinary surroundings. His aim is simple yet profound: to find someone willing to lay him to rest after he has taken his own life, a request he offers with a modest payment.
As the car weaves past markets, apartment blocks, and weathered avenues, Mr. Badii encounters a cross‑section of the city’s inhabitants—students, laborers, vendors—each absorbed in their own routines. Their brief conversations become windows into lives shaped by faith, duty, and personal struggle, and they subtly reflect the broader tapestry of Iranian society. The interactions are measured, allowing the audience to sense the undercurrent of connection and the unspoken questions that linger between strangers.
The film’s visual language mirrors its contemplative narrative. Long, unhurried takes linger on the landscape, letting the light shift across brick facades and the sky’s expanse. The camera moves with a gentle patience, inviting viewers to breathe with the characters and to contemplate the ordinary moments that carry extraordinary weight. A muted colour palette and sparse soundtrack further accentuate the quiet atmosphere, while occasional sounds—a distant call to prayer, the rumble of a passing truck—ground the story firmly in its urban setting.
Through this restrained yet intimate portrait, the story explores the fragile boundary between existence and finality, inviting reflection on what it means to be seen, heard, and ultimately, to belong. The journey is less about the destination and more about the fleeting connections that surface when life’s most intimate decisions are laid bare, leaving a lingering sense of curiosity and empathy.
What Happens in Taste of Cherry?
The complete story of Taste of Cherry, from the first scene to the last, in 359 words (about 2 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 1 cast member page.
Spoilers ahead
Badii, a middle-aged man, drives through the bustling streets of Tehran, searching for someone to assist him with a deeply personal task for which he is offering a significant amount of money. As he picks up various candidates, he confides in them about his intention to end his life and shares that he has already dug his grave. He instructs each person to return the next morning to either help him take a step back from his decision or to bury him if he has gone through with it. However, he refrains from diving into the reasons behind his choice to commit suicide.
His first potential recruit is a young and timid Kurdish soldier, who becomes overwhelmed by the conversation and quickly abandons Badii’s car in fear. Next, Badii approaches an Afghan seminarist, who also turns away, citing his religious beliefs against the act of suicide. The third candidate, Abdolrahman Bagheri, is an Azeri taxidermist who, facing financial difficulties due to his sick child, reluctantly agrees to help Badii. He passionately attempts to dissuade Badii from his grim decision by recounting his own prior struggle with suicidal thoughts back in 1960, a time when he ultimately chose to embrace life after tasting delicious mulberries that fell from a tree. This moment changed everything for him, as he returned home to share the mulberries with his wife, who found joy in them.
Bagheri extols the beauty of existence, from breathtaking sunrises to the allure of the moon and stars. He promises that if Badii is indeed dead come morning, he will gently throw dirt upon him. However, as Badii drops him off at work, he suddenly realizes he wants a contingency plan—asking Bagheri to confirm if he’s truly lifeless by tossing a few stones his way to awaken him if he’s only asleep.
As darkness falls, Badii lays within his own grave while a powerful thunderstorm rumbles above. After a protracted moment of uncertainty and a blackout, the film concludes by breaking the fourth wall with behind-the-scenes camcorder footage featuring Kiarostami and his crew in the middle of filming Taste of Cherry, leaving audiences in suspense regarding Badii’s ultimate decision.
Taste of Cherry Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
11 key events in the order they happen, from “Badii's Drive Begins” to “Breaking the Fourth Wall”.
- 1
Badii's Drive Begins
Badii, a middle-aged man, drives through the bustling streets of Tehran. He is on a quest to find someone who will assist him with a deeply personal and grim task.
Where:Tehran
- 2
Seeking Candidates
As he navigates the city, Badii picks up several candidates for help. He shares with them his intention to end his life, offering a significant sum of money for assistance.
Where:Tehran
- 3
First Encounter: The Kurdish Soldier
Badii's first potential recruit is a young and timid Kurdish soldier. Overwhelmed by the heavy conversation about suicide, the soldier quickly abandons Badii's car in fear.
- 4
Second Encounter: The Afghan Seminarist
Next, Badii approaches an Afghan seminarist who initially listens but ultimately turns away. He cites his religious beliefs, which strongly oppose acts of suicide.
- 5
Third Encounter: Abdolrahman Bagheri
Badii meets Abdolrahman Bagheri, an Azeri taxidermist struggling financially due to his sick child. Despite his reservations, Bagheri reluctantly agrees to help Badii.
- 6
Bagheri's Personal Story
As they converse, Bagheri recounts his own past battle with suicidal thoughts in 1960. He shares how a moment of joy from tasting mulberries changed his perspective on life.
When:1960
- 7
The Promise of Life
Bagheri passionately argues for the beauty of existence, highlighting the wonders of life, from sunrises to the stars. He offers to gently bury Badii if he has truly taken his life.
- 8
Contingency Plan
As they reach Bagheri's workplace, Badii realizes he wants a contingency plan. He requests that if he's asleep and not dead, Bagheri should throw a few stones at him to confirm.
- 9
Badii in His Grave
As night falls, Badii lays down in the grave he has dug for himself, surrounded by darkness. A powerful thunderstorm rumbles above him, adding to the tension of his decision.
- 10
The Climactic Moment
After a tense period of uncertainty, the scene cuts to black, leaving Badii’s fate ambiguous. The viewers are left hanging in suspense regarding his ultimate decision to live or die.
- 11
Breaking the Fourth Wall
The film concludes with behind-the-scenes camcorder footage showing director Kiarostami and his crew. This unexpected twist breaks the fourth wall, adding a meta-narrative layer to the story.
Who Are the Main Characters in Taste of Cherry?
4 characters, among them Badii, Abdolrahman Bagheri and Kurdish Soldier: who each one is and the part they play in the story. 1 of them link to the actor’s page.
- B
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
Played by 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
- KS
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
- AS
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
Where and When Is Taste of Cherry Set?
Taste of Cherry is set in Tehran (1960s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
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.
Where
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
What Are the Themes of Taste of Cherry?
2 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Existentialism and Beauty of Existence.
-
01
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.
-
02
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.
What Kind of Film Is Taste of Cherry?
Melancholic in tone, with slow pacing and a moderate story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Melancholic
- Pacing
- Slow
- Story
- Moderate
- Intensity
- Medium
- Ending
- Ambiguous
A slow, meditative, and melancholic journey through the streets of Tehran that immerses the viewer in a profound existential contemplation of life's simple beauties against a backdrop of profound despair.
- meditative
- existential
- lonely
- contemplative
- somber
- quiet
- suicide
- existential crisis
- human connection
- philosophical debate
Content notes: suicide, suicidal ideation.
Quiz
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