Undoubtedly, traces of naturalistic cinema, akin to the works of Sohrab Shahid Saless and Abbas Kiarostami, can be found in Hadi Mohaghegh's film 'derb.' However, this influence doesn't necessarily imply imitation; instead, the filmmaker's independent perspective can be seen in the formal and narrative representation, focusing on tracking and semiotics.
‘derb’ is also a minimalist work with existential and ontological approaches, giving life to nature, which is devoid of life. Ethically, 'derb' can be regarded as a film emphasizing human responsibility. The commitment of the responsible human can be defined through the character of Aziz Eskandari.
The film's story unfolds in a rural setting and in the natural environment, possibly emphasizing the ethical relationship between humans and nature. It suggests that living within or returning to nature brings one closer to human nature.
From a screenplay perspective, the film is lean and less sensational. The events have a small scale, and its rhythm is slow, possibly becoming monotonous for some viewers. The long shots, intended to serve the representation and experiential acceptance of the situation, can tie the viewer's mind and conscience to its theme and foster empathy, provided it is watched with patience.
Poetically, the film presents a visual identity and aesthetics that link to its beauty, as well as the poetic spirit injected into the essence of the story by the filmmaker.
Nevertheless, the romantic tones of the story do not diminish into sentimentalism, and the film is structured around human values and rational ethics.

Ali Zadmehr, film critic and journalist