Films Around the World
Taste of Cherry (1997) poster3

Iran10 Essential Iranian FilmsStop 3 of 10

Taste of Cherry

طعم گيلاس

1997 · 99 min · Drama

A middle-aged man drives around the outskirts of Tehran quietly seeking a stranger who will, for pay, help him carry out his plan to end his life — and each conversation becomes a meditation on despair and the will to live. Abbas Kiarostami's spare, profound Palme d'Or winner.

Why it’s here

A Kiarostami landmark and one of modern Iranian cinema's most cited works.

Runtime
99 min
Genre
Drama
Mood
thoughtful · dark · uplifting
Entry
easy entry
Best for
first visit · shorter watch

Content notes: suicide or self-harm Non-exhaustive

Part of 10 Essential Iranian Films

This film is stop 3 of 10 in the hand-ranked native-cinema route through Iran. See the complete ranking or read the selection methodology.

Watching this film stamps Iran in the 196 country film challenge.