Right after I finished watching the film, I didn't care for it. I was slightly confused throughout, this may have been because I was distracted, not focusing as much as I should have, but I just didn't feel a connection to it. However, after the screening of this in my film class, I overheard other students talking about how much they liked the film and I decided to research it more. My interpretation is that the old couple is the present day version of the young lovers but, I have read mixed thoughts on this. Makhmalbaf's use of color is visually stunning in the film. He uses it to express mood, and as the characters yell in the film, "color is life!" I am still confused as to what the young woman represented. Did she actually exist? Was she the younger version of the old woman? Was she a complete visualization? This may be ignorant of me because I may need to go back and watch the film again to really have a firm opinion on this film. The most innovative scene in my opinion was the scene in which the man is teaching the young children about colors and reaches out to them, bringing his hand back in and having the color all over it. This was such a modern thing to do but it somehow fit so well into the film. Makhmalbaf did such an amazing job combining the culture with modern touches like color or modern film techniques. For me, that was the biggest message I'll take from this film. I will surely need to have a second viewing before making any definite opinions on the plot.
Review of Gabbeh
