The film début by Parviz Shahbazi, who had previously written the story for Panahi’s The White Balloon, is about a child – like Panahi’s film and many other Iranian productions. Reza, a boy aged about twelve, travels from the south of Iran to the capital Teheran to visit an aunt. On his journey he comes across an old lady who is on her way to the airport for a trip to Europe. However on the way she has been robbed of her money and jewellery. Reza helps her to get the stolen goods back and insists on accompanying her to the airport – he has made up his mind that the lady’s fate depends on his own good will. However she has a minor heart-attack and is taken to hospital. As a result, Reza is too late arriving at his aunt’s house and she has already departed for her holiday address. Reza wants to spend the night in a hotel, but isn’t allowed to because he doesn’t have the right papers. He returns to the hospital and spends the next day collecting money for the old lady’s operation.The portrait of Iranian society sketched by Traveller From the South is of an easily irritated and rather cold bureaucracy, but one that does house warm and caring people. The film is borne with verve by the young actor Reza Moghadam, who manages to overcome all the obstacles in his path with irrepressible energy.
