Product Details

• Actors: Parviz Parastoei, Fereshteh Sadre Orafaei, Nikolas Padapopoulos, Esobeta Mikhailishina, Esmiel Soltanian
• Directors: Kambozia Partovi
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: FIRST RUN FEATURES
• DVD Release Date: November 20, 2007
• Run Time: 105 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000VAHR6Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,447 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Border Cafe" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Border Café is the "masterful, elegant" (Variety) film by Kambozia Partovi that examines the problems facing women in contemporary Iranian society. Partovi, one of Iran's most accomplished screenwriters, penned the screenplay for The Circle, Iran's 2007 Oscar submission.

Set near Iran's border with Turkey, a young widow takes over her late husband's truck stop café, keeping hidden in the kitchen so as not to cause a scandal in Iran's conservative society. But her brother-in-law, out of familial obligation, wants to take her as a wife and also take over the café. Meanwhile a Greek trucker who is a frequent café customer is slowly entranced-- at first by her sublime cooking ability, and then by her.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Strength of a Woman, May 27, 2008

By 

Rizzo (Nowhere) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Border Cafe (DVD)

Border Café, filmed in 2005 in Iran portrays a widow's challenge to care for herself and her two children. Her battle is with a culture that is not hers and a brother-in-law who fears dishonor.

When her husband dies suddenly, Reyhan is left with a café on the Turkish border. Through familial and cultural obligations, her brother-in-law, Nasser demands that Reyhan become his second wife and he will provide financially.

She resists their cultural traditions and remains determined to become independent and raise the children. She defies Nasser's request to build her a house with him. And, she reopens her husband's café on the Turkish border. She must remain in the background, in the kitchen while another employee waits tables. The café, now a successful gathering place for truckers, competes with Nasser's restaurant closeby.

The characters are very well-acted. Nasser, always with a scowl on his face comes across as combative, frustrated, angry, and fearful of dishonoring his culture. As with good character roles and portrayals, we learn to hate him. The character Reyhan is sweet and we strive for her independence, as we want her to succeed against tradition, culture and authorities. The movie was well-paced, and with its mild suspense, we wonder how often she can overcome those against her.

Director and writer Kambozia Parvoti wanted to share his belief that people can communicate regardless of traditions and culture. The film is about communication. Reyhan communicates and bonds with a teen girl from Russia who is hiding out at the café. Zakario, who is Greek communicates his desire for Reyhan even though they don't speak the same language.

This film is provided by Global Film Initiative, which has brought exceptional films that have made significant impact. A Discussion Guide PDF is available for your computer. You can learn more about Global Film Initiative and First Run Features for more outstanding cultural films. .....Rizzo

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! Powerful Performances, April 5, 2008

By 

K. Howell "practical pastor" (Ball, LA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Border Cafe (DVD)

This well written, directed movie does an excellent job of examining the clash between traditional cultural expectations and a widow's determination to maintain independence. Powerful acting and a believable, thought-provoking story make this movie well worth 5 stars.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One very determined woman..., January 11, 2009

By 

Elish (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Border Cafe (DVD)

The story of a widow trying to maintain her independence while resisting the pressure of her late husband's brother to become his second wife. She opens a restaurant on a main route near the Turkish border, and unwittingly wins the heart of a Greek truck driver who falls for her home-cooking. Fans of food movies will enjoy this one. This is one woman in a tough spot who is very determined not to give in...