Earth and Ashes (1995)
Elderly Dastaguir and his newly deaf 5-year-old grandson Yassin hitchhike and walk, but mostly walk, as they make their way to the coal mine where Dastaguir's son Murad works. Dastaguir must tell Murad that the rest of their family were all killed in a recent bomb attack.
The film establishes its central universe, introducing the protagonists into an escalating conflict. Directed by Atiq Rahimi, this opening movement establishes high visual and thematic stakes that set the narrative journey into motion.
The protagonists navigate escalating complications, ethical dilemmas, and formidable challenges. Starring Abdul Ghani, Jawan Mard Homayoun, Wali Talash, the middle act intensifies dramatic momentum toward an inevitable turning point.
The dramatic arcs converge in a decisive climax, resolving interpersonal conflicts and delivering the auteur’s resonant thematic conclusion.
Abdul Ghani
as Dastaguir
Cybill Shepherd
as Cybill SheridanJawan Mard Homayoun
as Yassin
Christine Baranski
as Maryann ThorpeWali Talash
as Mirza Qadir (as Walli Tallosh)
Alicia Witt
as Zoey WoodbineGuilda Chahverdi
as Zaynab / Woman in a Chadri
Alan Rosenberg
as Ira WoodbineMirza Hussein
as AmroKader Aria
as FatehSher Agah
as SharmaadAzim
as The CaravannerVakhill Saheb
as Mine DirectorRoheba Azim
as Young Girl
Malik Akhlaqi
as GhafarMalikdelha
as RostamCinematographic negative, aspect ratios & laboratory mastering sheet
| Aspect Ratios | 2.39:1 |
|---|---|
| Camera Systems | Arri Alexa LF / Panavision Millennium DXL2 |
| Negative Format | 35mm / 65mm / Digital Master |
| Printed Film Format | 70mm / DCP Master |
| Sound Mix Formats | Dolby AtmosDTS:X5.1 Surround |
| Laboratory / VFX | Technicolor / Double Negative (DNEG) |
| Color Processing | Color (Rec.709 / DCI-P3 Mastering) |
| Official Runtime | 30 min |
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Weighted consensus from 100K+ verified global cinephile ratings
The pipe organ composition from Hans Zimmer at the edge of Gargantua is monumental. Nolan masterfully balances the vast coldness of relativistic astrophysics with the intimate, multidimensional bond of family. A transcendent achievement of cinema.
"Do not go gentle into that good night, Rage, rage against the dying of the light." Michael Caine reciting Dylan Thomas resonates throughout the entire odyssey. Pure cinematic grandeur.
