Die Erzählung entfaltet sich in zwei miteinander verwobenen Handlungssträngen: Der eine schildert eine Familie, die sich um ihre alternde, todkranke Mutter versammelt und gemeinsame Kindheitserinnerungen auffrischt; der andere folgt den Vorbereitungen der Mutter auf ihre letzte Reise und der sorgfältigen Koordination der Rituale, die nach ihrem Tod stattfinden werden.
Ali Hatami (14 August 1944 – 7 December 1996) was a prominent Iranian filmmaker, known for his poetic visuals, meticulous art direction, and deep-rooted focus on Persian cultural themes. He studied at Tehran’s College of Dramatic Arts and began his career as a writer. He made his directorial debut with Hasan the Bald (1970), Iran’s first musical film. Other notable works include Hajji Washington (1982), Kamalolmolk (1984), Love‑Stricken (1992), and the renowned TV series Hezar Dastan (1978–1987), often hailed as Iran’s best television production. He frequently served as art director and costume designer for his own films, crafting immersive, traditional settings. His work earned him the nickname “the Hafez of Iranian cinema” for its lyrical ambience. He passed away from cancer in 1996.
