How others will see it. I suspect that no longer do tribes risk their lives and abuse their four legged lessers crossing stream and cliff. That way of life, for better or worse, is likely past. Thus, this documentary is important as an anthropological document, a small testament to the will of men to overcome obstacles.
If you honestly believe that life is hard for you because your electric bill is higher this month than last, perhaps you need to see Grass for a fresh perspective. If you are reading this, you have it good. Compare your lot with the Bakhtyari (yes, I looked up the spelling) men, who break ice with picks and shovels to blaze a trail across the forbidding peak Zardeh Kuh, all the time in their bare feet! Watch the tribe and their livestock cross a treacherous deep and wide river, with an untold number of sheep becoming fish food in the process.
These guys have it tough, and they do so without any devices that require batteries or electricity. In short, it's much like how life was for all humans before agriculture and cities were devised to create 'civilization' as we came to know it.
Fortunately, the filmmakers (all two of them) do not take a judgmental approach. There are no interviews, no analysis, no condescension. The camera is pointed in the right direction, and the subtitles (this is a silent movie, as were all films made prior to 1927) merely point out events, and characters of interest.
Early scenes lack cohesion, not that they aren't of any significance. But it is not until our western trio reaches 'The Forgotten People' that the story takes off. Apparently, the land is too arid to forever provide for the teeming cattle, goats, sheep, etc. of the tribe. Once the grass is gone, it's migrate or starve, and the drama of the annual migration needs simply to be documented on camera.
No drawn out tearjerkers about Habib's sister becoming ill or violating local custom. The story is told at the level of the tribe and not the person.
How I felt about it. Those with short attention spans will probably move on to brighter and more modern fare. But those who stick with it will be rewarded with an insight into the western quality of life, versus that of a nomadic tribe.
Animals have it toughest of all. They don't even understand why are forced to do seemingly stupid things, such as cross frigid streams and climb mountains. But the stick applied to their side will compel them onward.
There's no mercy for kids either. They will have to swim, and hike Zardeh Kuh in bare feet, just like their determined elders.