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LITTLE MIRACLE Restored Iranian classic ‘The Runner’ to play CU Boulder’s International Film Series BY MICHAEL J. CASEY
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MARCH 16, 2023
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he child has no parents, no siblings, no relatives to speak of. He’s 11 years old, and what happened before the movie starts is of little concern. Ditto for what happens after the credits roll. If that makes The Runner sound like a Madjid Niroumand in The Runner, coming to CU movie existing in some Boulder’s International Film Series on Saturday, amorphous space detached March 18. Photo courtesy Rialto Pictures. from reality, know this: Nothing could be further tographer Firooz Malekzadeh accomfrom the truth. This is one of the most plish with the visuals that make it authentic portraits you’re likely to magnificent. The film is rich with symencounter. bolism, but none of it feels forced or Filmed in Iran, directed by Amir academic. Rare are movies this effortNaderi and released in 1984, The less. Take the shot of Amiro on his Runner has been called one of the bicycle racing against a plane on the first masterpieces from post-revolurunway. You could read a lot into the tionary Iran. Now the film has been image — and its placement in the narrestored and re-subtitled and is currative — or you could just absorb the rently making the art-house cinema beauty of the composition and the rounds thanks to Rialto Pictures. And power of Niroumand’s performance. on Saturday, March 18, The Runner It’s worth wondering why Naderi lands at CU Boulder’s International chose to find such beauty in a story Film Series for a screening you don’t that could have wallowed in the gutwant to miss. ter. Maybe this was his way of rescuSet in the port city of Abadan and ing Amiro from the harshness of life. based on Naderi’s youth, The Runner Or maybe this beauty is Amiro’s way is a movie in constant motion with a of saving himself from the harshness protagonist, Amiro (Madjid surrounding him. Amiro is no deluNiroumand), who thrives on movesional child. He knows what he’s up ment. Amiro lives by himself, finds his against. He knows the world is just own food, washes his own clothes waiting to cheat him out of everything and makes his own way. For money, he has. Yet, he is almost always he collects glass bottles littered in the seen with a smile. And when The surf and then sells them to a recycler. Runner comes to its triumphant and When an incident over who saw a ecstatic conclusion, Amiro’s smile is bottle first turns into a skirmish, Amiro so big it practically has wings. starts selling ice water out of a bucket on the street. Then he starts shining ON SCREEN: The Runner, shoes at a military base café. It’s 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March Amiro’s best job until a customer 18, International Film Series, accuses him of stealing a lighter. CU Boulder, Muenzinger The character of Amiro paired with Auditorium, 1905 Colorado Niroumand’s unguarded performance Ave., $9 makes The Runner compelling, but it’s what director Naderi and cinemaBOULDER WEEKLY