The Runner

About the production

Filmed during the Iran-Iraq war in the actual war-torn city of Abadan, which was under frequent Iraqi bombardment. The production faced extreme challenges including security risks, limited resources, and the constant threat of air raids. Director Amir Naderi insisted on filming on location to capture the authentic atmosphere of the devastated port city. The abandoned oil tanker where Amiro lives was a real vessel left abandoned after the war's outbreak.

Themes

Themes & topics

Historical background

Production circa 1984 situates The Runner within the technical limits of its era—intertitles, fixed cameras, and studio-bound sets shaped every creative choice.

Why this film matters

Later homages and restorations keep The Runner circulating among silent- and classic-film communities long after its first run.

Making of

Director Amir Naderi faced extraordinary challenges making this film during the Iran-Iraq war. He had to navigate government censorship, war-time restrictions, and the physical dangers of filming in a combat zone. The casting process was extensive, with Naderi searching for months to find the perfect non-professional actor to play Amiro. Majid Niroumand was discovered selling goods in a Tehran bazaar and had never acted before. The director worked closely with the young actor, using improvisation techniques to capture authentic emotions. Many of the supporting roles were filled with actual Abadan residents who were experiencing the war firsthand. The film's minimalist approach was both an artistic choice and a necessity due to limited resources and equipment available during wartime.

What critics said

Press clipping files from 1984 rarely give The Runner headline space; mentions appear in roundup columns listing what played that week.

Did you know?

• The film was shot in black and white despite the availability of color film, a deliberate artistic choice to emphasize the harshness of Amiro's reality
• Majid Niroumand, who played Amiro, was a non-professional actor discovered by director Amir Naderi in a Tehran marketplace
• The film's original Persian title 'Davandeh' literally translates to 'The Runner'
• It was one of the first Iranian films to gain significant international recognition after the 1979 Islamic Revolution
• The production team had to obtain special permits to film in the war zone of Abadan
• Many scenes were filmed between Iraqi air raids, with cast and crew frequently taking shelter in bunkers
• The film was banned from domestic Iranian distribution for several years due to its stark depiction of poverty
• Director Naderi was inspired to make the film after seeing young boys running alongside trains in Abadan
• The airplane and ship models used in dream sequences were created from scrap materials found in Abadan
• The film's soundtrack uses minimal music, relying primarily on ambient sounds of the port and war

Awards & recognition

• Best Film - Fajr International Film Festival (1984)
• Best Director - Fajr International Film Festival (1984)
• Best Actor - Fajr International Film Festival (1984)
• Golden Leopard - Locarno International Film Festival (1985)
• Special Jury Prize - Nantes Three Continents Festival (1985)

Visual style

The film's black and white cinematography by Dariush Ayari is considered groundbreaking in its use of light and shadow to create stark, poetic imagery. The camera work emphasizes the vast, empty spaces of the war-torn port while focusing intimately on Amiro's small figure against this backdrop. Long tracking shots follow Amiro as he runs through the desolate landscape, creating a sense of both freedom and isolation. The cinematography contrasts the harsh reality of the war-torn setting with the dreamlike quality of Amiro's fantasies. The use of natural light and authentic locations gives the film a documentary-like authenticity while maintaining its artistic vision.

Innovations

The Runner achieved remarkable technical feats given its wartime production constraints. The film's use of actual war-torn locations provided authentic visual documentation of Abadan during the Iran-Iraq war. The cinematography successfully captured both intimate character moments and epic landscapes using limited equipment. The sound recording in challenging outdoor environments with constant background noise from the port and potential air raids demonstrated exceptional technical skill. The film's editing, particularly its juxtaposition of reality and dream sequences, created a seamless narrative flow that enhanced its poetic quality. The production team's ability to complete the film under such difficult conditions stands as proof of their technical expertise and determination.

Music

The film features minimal musical score, relying primarily on ambient sounds of the port city and the distant sounds of war. The sparse use of music, composed by Ahmad Pejman, emphasizes key emotional moments without overwhelming the naturalistic atmosphere. The soundtrack includes the sounds of ships' horns, train whistles, airplane engines, and Amiro's own breathing during his runs. This minimalist approach creates a powerful auditory landscape that mirrors the visual austerity of the black and white photography. The absence of background music during many scenes forces viewers to focus on the natural sounds and Amiro's experience of his environment.

What audiences thought

The Runner resonated deeply with international audiences, particularly at film festivals where it received standing ovations. Its universal themes of childhood dreams, survival, and the desire for transcendence transcended cultural barriers. In Iran, while initially banned from domestic distribution, it eventually became a beloved film among cinephiles and is now considered a national treasure. The film's emotional impact on audiences has been consistent over decades, with viewers connecting to Amiro's journey regardless of their background. Many audience members have reported being deeply moved by the film's portrayal of hope amid devastation and its celebration of human resilience.

Film connections

Influenced by

• Italian Neorealism
• French New Wave
• Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy
• Vittorio De Sica's Bicycle Thieves
• Abbas Kiarostami's early works

This film influenced

• Children of Heaven
• Kolya
• The Color of Paradise
• Baran
• Osama
• similarFilms

Where to watch

• Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The%20Runner%20(1984)(Davandeh%20%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87)%20Directed%20By%20Amir%20Naderi%20(Majid%20Niroumand%20as%20Amiro)%20(Eng%20Sub).webm