Where Is the Friend's Home? (Persian: خانه دوست کجاست) is a 1987 Iranian drama written and directed by Abbas Kiarostami. The film tells of a schoolboy in a rural village who discovers a classmate has been punished for missing homework and resolves to find the correct house to return the notebook. What begins as a small errand unfolds into a quiet, determined search that exposes social routines and human kindness.

The narrative is deliberately simple and linear. Kiarostami limits the story to a handful of locations and keeps the camera close to the child’s point of view. The plot advances through everyday obstacles—locked doors, mistaken identities, and the uneven attention of adults—so that moral urgency grows from ordinary acts rather than dramatic turns.

Key features

  • Spare, observational style with long takes and minimal orchestration.
  • Use of non‑professional actors and authentic village settings.
  • Focus on a child’s ethical responsibility and the social world around him.
  • Blends elements of documentary realism and poetic storytelling.

Produced during a vibrant period of Iranian cinema, the film exemplifies the movement often called the Iranian New Wave. Kiarostami worked with local children and villagers, favoring natural light, real streets, and uncomplicated staging. The modest production values underline an aesthetic of economy and attention to human detail.

Interpretations of the film emphasize themes of duty, community, and education. Rather than preaching, the story invites viewers to reflect on how small commitments—returning a notebook, knocking on the right door—map onto larger ethical ideas. Critics also note how the film questions adult indifference and highlights a child’s capacity for moral reasoning.

Legacy and significance

On release the film received international notice and contributed to Kiarostami’s reputation as a leading voice in world cinema. It is frequently studied in film courses for its economical storytelling and its use of non‑professional performers. Retrospectives and festival screenings continue to introduce new audiences to its blend of simplicity and profound humanism.

Notable facts

  • The film is celebrated for transforming a modest narrative into a rich moral parable.
  • Its production style influenced later filmmakers interested in realism and child-centered stories.