Gaav (1969) The Cow

Directed by Dariush Mehrjui

Starring Ezzatolah Entezami

Mad, cow, disease(d)

Hassan is the owner of the only cow in a remote village, he loves the cow in an almost paternal manner down to playfully sharing the cows feed, even his wife comes second best to the cow.

While away on business, the cow dies unexpectedly. The villagers, knowing how much Hassan cares for the cow tell him it has strayed while in fact they bury the body in an old well.

Thus begins Hassan's descent into madness, not only will he not accept the cow has strayed, he becomes the cow, eating the feed, mooing and living in the cows shed, his wife and the villagers have no idea how to deal with him and the film ends on a tragic note.

Slow paced but commendable story telling, clear black & white imagery, the village is replete with idiot(s), old hags, strange customs and superstitions, it also has a rival village with a deservedly bad reputation for being thieves and rustlers.

The film was banned by the Shah because he didnt want Iran seen as a backward country, the Ayatollah Khomeini was apparently influenced enough by the film to permit film-making in Iran following the Islamic Revolution. The Cow was voted the "best Iranian film ever" twice by Iranian film critics.

Not for everyone but certainly recommended viewing.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rating PG