Customer Reviews

Border Cafe

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

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...

Artful film about a woman whose husband passed away, leaving her their cafe on the Turkish border.

Its central theme is the role of women in male dominated societies. Its heroine, Reyhan, has just become a widow, with two small children to take care of. Her deceased husband's brother Nasser, offers, in the local tradition of that part of Iran to look after her by taking her as his second wife. Reyhan, however, is very independent and, spurning Nasser's offer, decides instead to re open her husband's truck stop café. This puts her in direct competition with Nasser, who owns a much bigger truck stop restaurant. As her café builds up customers, the tension between her and Nasser rises particularly when a Greek truck driver takes a liking to Reyhan.

What makes this movie stand out is Reyhan's skills cooking and the way it is conveyed to the audience. Great acting all around. Recommended.

Aryan Somers

this script is so obviously written by a man (and for men) even though it is superficially about a strong woman. that said, it is also a very boring, unimaginative film. expect nothing. do not pay $ for it.