The Cyclist (1989)

67.34 %
based on 32 user ratings
The Cyclist on IMDb 7.4/10 1,496 votes

Released:
1989-02-01

Overview:
The wife of Nasim, an Afghan immigrant in Iran, is gravely ill. He needs money to pay for her care, but his day labor digging wells does not pay enough. A friend connects Nasim to a two-bit promoter who sells tickets to watch Nasim ride a bicycle continuously for a week. The promoter brings in sick and aged spectators, haranguing them to find hope in Nasim's strength. Aided by his son, who feeds him as he rides, Nasim grinds out the days and shivering nights. Local officials believe this may be a plot and Nasim may be a spy; they try to sabotage him as do those who bet he won't finish the week. Will desperation alone get Nasim the money? Is any triumph an illusion?

Director:
Mohsen Makhmalbaf

Runtime:
1h 19min

Genre:
Drama

  • Cast:
  • Mahshid Afsharzadeh
    as
    Gypsy Woman
  • Firouz Kiani
    as
    Motorcyclist
  • Samira Makhmalbaf
  • Mohammadreza Maleki
    as
    Jomeh
  • Esmail Soltanian
    as
    Showman