It seems that Makhmalbaf is now putting himself into idealism. His consistent subject matter is philosophical - fundamental questions of the truth rather than the complex, paradoxical reality of our time, as shown in his previous films in his writings about Afghanistan. In this regard, [Scream of the Ants] is a philosophical apologue. The film follows a couple`s experiences on their journey to India: the wife believes in God, while her husband is an atheist. Through the dialogues the couple has with people on the journey, Makhmalbaf delivers his message to audience. A moment of awakening might come from a conversation with a "saint", or from the shocking scene of the Ganges where life and death coexist. Surely, there comes a powerful moment of reflection during the entire film, even after the film is over. The message that Makhmalbaf wishes to give audiences never seems to be simple. The wife happens to hear the screams of the ants when she steps on them on her road to see "the Perfect Man", and the husband roars when he faces the stern reality of unequal coexistence of the poor and the rich in the cremation scene on the Ganges. Juxtaposing these two scenes, Makhmalbaf clearly and authentically shows the theme of the film. (Kim Ji-Seok)