The Runner / Davandeh (1984) [The Criterion Collection]

Director: Amir Naderi
Writer: Behrouz Gharibpour, Amir Naderi
Stars: Madjid Niroumand, Abbas Nazeri, Musa Torkizadeh

Childhood takes on mythic dimensions in one of the defining works of postrevolutionary Iranian cinema. Inspired by director Amir Naderi’s own boyhood, The Runner is lit from within by Madjid Niroumand’s electrifying performance as a young orphan fending for himself on the streets of a port city, determined to rise above his circumstances—working odd jobs, passing time with friends, learning to read—and running, always running, toward the future. Water, fire, the human body in motion: in hypnotic images of lyrical power, Naderi finds unexpected glory in the world of a boy suspended between modernity and elemental natural forces as he chases his own path forward.

Extras:
- New 2K digital restoration, supervised by director Amir Naderi, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
- New conversation between Naderi and filmmaker Ramin Bahrani
- Audio interview from 2022 with Naderi and actor Madjid Niroumand, moderated by programmer and Rialto Pictures founder Bruce Goldstein
- Waiting, a 1974 film by Naderi, featuring an afterword by the director
- Trailer
- New English subtitle translation