I went to see Gabbeh on its opening night at the Embarcadero Center two weeks ago. However precious and fragile Iranian filmmaking may be under the present circumstances, I believe that we must not shut our eyes to its shortcomings. On the contrary, if Iranian films are to be taken seriously and gather an international audience, they must be put to the same test as other movies of the same genre. Quality is universal, and we must be impartial in seeking it in any art form. These nomads are Ghashghai Turks who spend the colder half of the year in the southeastern state of Fars, and the warmer half in the more central state of Isfahan.
Most people think of Persian rugs as the highly exquisite and fine type.
The gabbeh is beautiful in a different way. It is lovely with a rustic, coarse character, made of thick wool seeped in the colors of wildflowers the Ghashghais find in meadows. The Ghashghai Turks themselves are visually stunning, from their atypical light hair and eyes, to their intensely colorful flowing skirts and scarves. Gabbeh tells the story of an old couple washing their rug, while in a dreamy and fantastical way, a young girl named Gabbeh, shares the wild story of her love affair with them. I emphasize dreamy and fantastical because I think director Makhmalbaf believed these qualities would be his ticket to success with this movie.