Runner (1984), Criterion Collection, DVD

On an abandoned tanker In the Persian Gulf city of Abadan, 11-year-old orphan Amiro (Madjid Niroumand) got by on his wits, bottle-picking and shining shoes for change when not in playful competition with other kids. For all his autonomy, however, he knows that he must scratch out an education if he's ever to make his fantasies of success and escape come true. Director Amir Naderi's autobiographical and acclaimed opus co-stars Abbas Nazeri, Musa Torkizadeh. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: Farsi; Subtitles: English; bonus film "Waiting" (1974) featurettes; theatrical trailer. In Farsi with English subtitles.