How to become a bag of rice
A comment on Kiseye Berendj
The Retrospective section at this year's Berlinale shows films on the theme "Young at Heart - Coming of Age at the Movies". Well-known filmmakers have put together the films for the programme. Tilda Swinton chose the Iranian film Kiseye Berendj by Mohammad-Ali Talebi from 1996. Here, the viewer enchantingly follows the little girl Jairan who, together with her old neighbour, makes her way through the labyrinth of Theran to buy a sack of rice. It is the dramas of everyday life that are shown on the big screen. In a time where cinema is overloaded with complex storylines, plot twists and special effects, it is a pleasant surprise to experience how this narrative can shine in its simplicity. Tilda Swinton writes about this timeless film: "We each alchem...