Breath (2016) User Reviews

When you flow through the real life like Breath

[miladhafez · 8/10 · 4 March 2021]

I can not conceal my passion from watching this realistic movie I saw just 2 nights ago; and from that time all the story line is passing from my mind background scene by scene. The movie shares with you a long cut of an Iranian family throughout the childhood of the children which is simultaneous to the Iranian revolution and war; and no one could better describe the circumstances of those days to the next generations or people round the world than a girl with its wonderful, childish, and imaginary point of view of a girl called Nafas! Don't hesitate to watch this movie if you are still feeling your inside child.

Bold picture of consequences of war

[patil_umesh · 9/10 · 18 January 2017]

I am blessed to experience an amazing Iranian film Breath directed by Narges Abyar, a Jury member at Pune International Film Festival 2017. Film has visually stunning imageries and it showcases world painted through eyes of a little girl named Bahar. Film has narration in voice of naive girl along with animated stories imagined by her.

Bahar lived with her father, three brothers and grand-mother. She is brilliant as she could recall currencies, capitals of all countries. At a very young age she reads big spirituals books, starts lessons of Quran. She stands first in her class. Her father is suffering from asthma. Girl dreams to become doctor and cure her father. Her sketches are very beautiful and she wishes them to be showcased on television. Movie showcases Iranian culture and history through this film. Her mother forbids her to walk along with boy outside. She even says girls shouldn't laugh out loud, but just show smile.

Her father has gifted her wooden boat. Movie perfectly ends showing this toy drifts down in stream of water after military attack that destroyed the village.

The theater reverberated with wonderful applause while family shown celebrating over song from Bollywood Hindi film Sholey. The director has shown love for Indian culture and films. She asked to support for justice of Narges Ashtari, social worker in Odisha.

Lives of innocent children, their aspirations, lives are shattered by war, mass destruction caused by international conflicts. Movie boldly communicates consequences of war. This film received standing ovation in Pune!

Must see. Great pro-life, anti-war movie

[sanamer · 9/10 · 2 December 2017]

I have read a lot of criticism about this movie. Some seem to believe it is part of the Iran's governmental propaganda. I do not find it a fair view. I wish we all could forget about "who said" and focus on "what was said". In this sense, regardless of who has funded the movie, you might like Nafas, because it truly reflects the effect of revolution and war on the life and dreams of a very ordinary, but creative, imaginative, and smart kid. If you liked movies such as "Amelie", "The legend of 1900", and "In this corner of the world", you might find some of the finest elements of these movies in Nafas (the Breath). In none of those three movies one could find a rigid core for the story. They were simply reports. Reports about lives and dreams of common people through their day to day lives and thoughts. And I find them quite successful movies, not only because of the awards they won, but more because of the fantastic feeling, and view they gave me. To me, this movie, Nafas, is an anti war movie. A movie which shows how big political shifts can ruin the dreams of a generation. A totally lovable, talented generation. I can watch Nafas over and over (like the other three movies). I also have to congratulate the cast of the movie, for their brilliant plays. Well done!

Wow!

[hassnawi2111 · 10/10 · 14 November 2017]

Wow! Every year the Iranians surprise us with a new masterpiece. The directing, the acting and the cinematography are spectacular. I enjoyed every shot of this movie. I think the international film festivals won't overlook choosing this movie as the best one in every category. This little kid, Bahar, convinced me in every move she takes. She played the role perfectly.

an incredibly moving story seen through the eyes of a child

[aminifatimaaa · 10/10 · 13 June 2019]

Breath is a harrowing and affecting film, propelled by an incredible performance from the young actress Sareh Nour Mousavi. This is Narges Abyar's finest, most passionate, and most accomplished work as a writer & director. The storyline has a great deal of refreshing and completely genuine authenticity that's immediately present from the very first scene. This brilliant film will leave you feeling broken, but it's a must see.

outstanding picture of children innocence

[ozhan10 · 10/10 · 20 September 2017]

growing up in curious view of a little girl in 70s and 80s without mother and struggling to somehow get away from a backward society to help her dad in her own little world, the world that wont change in her view no matter if revolution happen or a war get started its still the same world and her dad still needs her help, this is one of the best pictures i have seen of Iran's cinema

a calm poetic story

[Ehsan_Alikhani · 10/10 · 3 January 2023]

Nafas (En: Breath) is one of those movies that some audiences like very much and others don't like it at all. But I am the one who loved this movie so much and watched it curiously until the end.

"Breath" is a calm poetic story told from the point of view of a child with the brilliant acting of Sara Noor Mousavi.

Some may consider the lack of a story and storyline as one of the most important weaknesses of this film, but in my opinion, this is a strong point of the film. Without facing a particular story, you sit in front of the intellectual concerns of a seven-year-old child for more than two hours and travel with her in her imaginary world without getting tired.

This is a masterpiece!

[aliirezarezaie · 10/10 · 29 August 2022]

The structure is complete, smoothly made and shaped out of a great line. The acts are extraordinary. You hate the war and violence against the children in every second of this movie. You could have a really close feeling of your childhood throughout the story. Complete in every element! Every scene was filmed amazingly and i enjoyed watching every frame. You can feel the presence of the director. Those animation works into the mind of Bahare showing how she was thinking break the long scenes and stop you to get bored. Also the director "Narges Abyar" is a woman and she could understand the mind of a child and a father better than a man. The role of NANE AGHA was amazingly put and shaped into the story and you wanted to love her but also you couldn't love her.