Written & Directed by Majid Majidi
Produced by Amir Esfandiari and Mohammad Esfandiari
Running time : 89 minutes
Country: Iran
Language: Persian
Sometimes it is astonishing to see something so simple yet so beautiful that we could not resist to love it. Similar feelings wobbled my heart when I saw 'Children of Heaven', a 1997 Iranian drama flick. Written and directed by Majid Majidi, Children of Heaven showcased the most classic paradox of losing even after winning the race in the most subtle way ever demonstrated in the history of world cinema. With no actions, special effects, guns and gooses, or any complicated relationships it evinced the beauty of simplicity through ‘direct dil-se' story. Though the movie is set up in Iran, the story can be easily comprehended and loved by universal audience, irrespective of generation gap. It was nominated for Acadamy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film in 1998 and won several awards at International level.
Story of the movie revolves around a family of four members living in old town of Iran and coping with financial disturbances. Though, the main plot revolves around Ali, a nine years old school going kid, who by mistake loses his little sister’s (Zahra) pink shoes while he took them for repairing. Fearing of a scold from his father, Ali does not tell his father about lost shoes but the problem is that how will Zahra go to school without shoes? So, both device a plan in which Zahra will wear Ali's sneakers in morning and Ali will wear it in afternoon classes. Meanwhile, Ali comes to know about a inter school race competition in which third prize is a pair of shoes. Ali immediately thinks as an opportunity and threrfore participated in the race but eventually he comes first. Though he wins the race but he is not happy as he missed the opportunity of getting a pair of shoes.
Amir Farrokh Hashemian as Ali steals the show with his brilliant performance. As an innocent but helpless kid who could not tell his father about lost shoes, he brilliantly played the big brother of his sister and also showed enough maturity to understand the financial condition of his father. His innocent face justifies his dilemma between responsibilities of being eldest son of house and fun of being school going kid. Bahare Seddiqi as Zahra and Ali's little sister justifies her role with utmost innocence and cute dialogue delivery. It is difficult to ignore the performance of Amir Naji as Ali's father who is sometimes rude but cares more than anything about his children.
‘Children of Heaven’ is a simple but well written story which not only touches your heart but stays in your heart for eternity. Majid Majidi deals closely with almost every relationship depicted in the movie especially brother - sister relationship. The scene where Ali and Zahra exchange notes for a solution is beautifully written and executed. The soul of the movie lies in its inherent sweetness of caring love between Ali and his sister, responsible love of Ali for his father and unconditional love of parents for their children. The scene where Ali went with his father to rich houses of big city for gardening work and how he helped his father in communicating through intercom is incredible.
‘Children of Heaven’ is not about rich or poor life but it tells the way to live life, it is not about struggle in life but it is about emotional bonding among family members which make them able to cope any struggle of life. ‘Children of Heaven’ is ninety beautiful minutes of engrossed emotional content.
Story of the movie revolves around a family of four members living in old town of Iran and coping with financial disturbances. Though, the main plot revolves around Ali, a nine years old school going kid, who by mistake loses his little sister’s (Zahra) pink shoes while he took them for repairing. Fearing of a scold from his father, Ali does not tell his father about lost shoes but the problem is that how will Zahra go to school without shoes? So, both device a plan in which Zahra will wear Ali's sneakers in morning and Ali will wear it in afternoon classes. Meanwhile, Ali comes to know about a inter school race competition in which third prize is a pair of shoes. Ali immediately thinks as an opportunity and threrfore participated in the race but eventually he comes first. Though he wins the race but he is not happy as he missed the opportunity of getting a pair of shoes.
Amir Farrokh Hashemian as Ali steals the show with his brilliant performance. As an innocent but helpless kid who could not tell his father about lost shoes, he brilliantly played the big brother of his sister and also showed enough maturity to understand the financial condition of his father. His innocent face justifies his dilemma between responsibilities of being eldest son of house and fun of being school going kid. Bahare Seddiqi as Zahra and Ali's little sister justifies her role with utmost innocence and cute dialogue delivery. It is difficult to ignore the performance of Amir Naji as Ali's father who is sometimes rude but cares more than anything about his children.
‘Children of Heaven’ is a simple but well written story which not only touches your heart but stays in your heart for eternity. Majid Majidi deals closely with almost every relationship depicted in the movie especially brother - sister relationship. The scene where Ali and Zahra exchange notes for a solution is beautifully written and executed. The soul of the movie lies in its inherent sweetness of caring love between Ali and his sister, responsible love of Ali for his father and unconditional love of parents for their children. The scene where Ali went with his father to rich houses of big city for gardening work and how he helped his father in communicating through intercom is incredible.
‘Children of Heaven’ is not about rich or poor life but it tells the way to live life, it is not about struggle in life but it is about emotional bonding among family members which make them able to cope any struggle of life. ‘Children of Heaven’ is ninety beautiful minutes of engrossed emotional content.
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