Through the Olive Trees is a 1994 Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami. It is the third film in Kiarostami's Koker trilogy, following Where Is the Friend's Home? and Life, and Nothing More.... The film explores the themes of reality and fiction, and the blurred lines between the two.
The film focuses on a film crew trying to shoot a scene for their movie in a village that was devastated by an earthquake. The scene involves a couple, Hossein and Tahereh, who are played by local actors. Hossein is trying to convince Tahereh to marry him, but she is hesitant. As the crew attempts to shoot the scene, they experience several obstacles such as difficult weather conditions and uncooperative animals. The director also has conflicts with the actors, as Tahereh is not comfortable with the dialogue that Hossein has written for her.
The film blurs the lines between reality and fiction, as the director and the actors are all playing versions of themselves. The director becomes increasingly frustrated with the actors, as they seem to be more interested in their real-life problems than the film they are making. However, the boundaries are constantly shifting, as the actors' real-life issues become incorporated into the film's narrative.
The film is known for its naturalistic style and its exploration of the tension between reality and fiction. It was well-received by critics and won several awards at international film festivals.
