The Cyclist
1989 · 79 MIN · IMDB 7.2 · 2,428 VOTES · DIR. Mohsen Makhmalbaf
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?
Dialogue Timeline — 508 lines
A SAMPLE ACROSS THE RUNTIME — EVERY LINE IS SEARCHABLE
00:00:48 Your wife is a disease collection.
00:05:45 Nobody is.
00:09:09 Otherwise, it's not my fault.
00:14:41 Get up!
00:16:31 Can you do it for a week?
00:17:54 What a profit l made in that business.
00:19:29 These people, they can't even applaud. Give me that hammer.
00:22:12 and applaud him for his health.
00:27:45 l only gave him a cup of tea. He needs it.
00:30:50 You've suffered a lot during your lifetime.
00:34:15 Get them out of here! Clear out.
00:36:26 The Governor's secretary is at the consulate gate.
00:38:48 He believes that this show has been arranged
00:42:05 Hey. Hold it.
00:44:35 l'm a gypsy. l can't settle in one place.
00:52:32 Who let you in?
00:58:27 lt's not that hard.
01:00:28 We know you're a spy.
01:02:16 What are you doing? Don't interfere!
01:04:21 lf he doesn't fall by tonight, flatten his tire. There's no other way.
01:08:44 Don't fall asleep! Don't fall asleep!
01:12:30 The thing is getting bigger every day.
01:14:42 lt's over. The race is over. The race is over.
01:16:04 What do you mean?