Gabbeh (1996)

As dawn breaks, an elderly couple steps out from their rustic abode, their hands cradling an ancient gabbeh; a richly adorned rug, steeped in years of history and tradition. The woman, the original artisan of the gabbeh, crafted it in her youth while yearning for her betrothed to whisk her away on horseback from her familial clan. As they begin their accustomed chore of washing the rug, a remarkable event unfolds - the gabbeh springs to life, whispering the woman's poignant tale of a love long awaited. Suddenly, a youthful woman materializes from the depths of the gabbeh's intricate patterns. She is a phantom of the past, a vestige from the clan whose chronicles are intricately woven into the rug's vibrant tapestry. As the rug unfurls its tale, we journey back in time, immersed in the clan's pastoral life. Their days are colored with the rearing of sheep, the shearing of wool, the spinning of yarn, and the dyeing of vibrant hues that breathe life into their gabbehs. "All life is color," declares the woman's whimsically poetic uncle, a sentiment echoed by the women of the clan as they chant in unison during a birth. The film, through its profound focus and evocative landscapes, paints a vivid portrait of nomadic existence, and captures the enchanting story of the young woman's courtship by a mysterious stranger from the clan. In the heart-warming bickering of the elderly couple and the mesmerizing stages of gabbeh creation, the film brings to life a bygone era. As the narrative leaps from the rug into reality, it weaves an intricate tale of love, tradition, and the vibrant simplicity of nomadic life.

Gabbeh is a drama movie featuring Shaghayeh Djodat.

Gabbeh is currently streaming on ARROW.

It is also possible to buy Gabbeh on Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube.