Furthermore, the sound design is integral. The hum of the car engine, the crunch of gravel, the barking of stray dogs—these are not background noises; they are characters. English subtitles allow you to keep the original Farsi audio (dubbing this film would be cinematic sacrilege) while understanding the emotional weight of the pauses.
In certain regions (primarily the US), Taste of Cherry is available on Max as part of the TCM hub. The transfer is excellent, though the subtitle options are more basic than Criterion’s.
Before diving into streaming options, it is crucial to understand what makes this film unique. Unlike conventional Hollywood narratives, Taste of Cherry unfolds in near real-time inside a car. Mr. Badii (Homayoun Ershadi), a middle-aged man with a quiet, desperate demeanor, drives through the arid hills of Tehran, searching for someone to help him commit suicide. He offers money to a soldier, a seminarian, and a taxidermist—each refusing or questioning him in different ways.
The Criterion Channel is the premier streaming service for cinephiles.
The film frequently rotates into the MUBI library, known for its curated selection of global classics.
Without spoiling it, Kiarostami breaks the "fourth wall" in the final minutes. It is a highly debated, meta-cinematic ending that challenges the audience's perception of reality and fiction. What is the runtime of the movie? The film runs for approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes.
To truly immerse yourself, here are a few recommendations:
Subscribers can find the film on Max , often available through their "Criterion Collection" or "World Cinema" hubs.
Taste of Cherry is a dialogue-driven film where every word matters. The quality of the English subtitles can significantly impact your understanding and appreciation. The most reliable subtitles are the professional ones provided by official distributors like Criterion Collection, Janus Films, and the platforms listed above.
MUBI is a global streaming service that focuses on independent and international films.