`children of heaven` movie review

Introduction

Iranian film with Persian language named as Bacheha-Ye aseman released with English subtitles as children of heaven (USA ) was released in the year 1999 , directed by Majid Majijdi , was nominated for Oscar . This film reminds westerners with Czechoslovakian films of 1960s mainly The Shop on Main Street ' and Loves of a Blonde . The subject line of story is a very delicate issue about the life style of people who are living in impoverished conditions and how the emotions of children run in these homes about each and every minute issue . On

one side , the film focuses on extravagant lives of people residing in Tehran , and on the other side , a village where poor families are endeavoring to make a living in one-room apartment . Ali , Zehra are brother and sister who are school going kids whose parents are illiterates and do not earn enough money to buy another pair of shoes for children . Parents are strong religious followers practicing moralistic understanding in every sphere of life , inspite of leading an utterly poor life . Further the film focuses on how kids interact with each other without giving a base of rich-n-poor attitude . Ali makes friendship and interacts with rich kids around the vicinity

The best part of the film is in picturising children (Ali and Zehra ) as to how among themselves children make plans for self-sufficiency , such that Ali participates in a contest to win a pair of sneakers for sister who lost school shoes picked up by a trash can collector . At several occasions , movie focuses on how children express deep sympathy for each other wherein even though missing shoes were found at a blind peddler 's home , children refuse to ask as it was in use by another little girl Most of all obedience to parents , when Ali is hired for gardening work as an eight year old boy , who is supposed to be playing and studying agrees to work for earning extra money at the word of father . Film depicts Arab community especially Iranian society , religious outlook in practical life , and remaining content with what is available , while continuously aspiring to reach out to meet essential needs , in terms of economic status of living

The film in another aspect , reveals that amidst of rich countries in Arab region , such as Kuwait , UAE , Dubai , Saudi Arabia , Muscat and there are many other nations , which have advanced economically whereas Iran continues to have a status of an unprosperous nation where there are many villages where people remained as illiterates leading poor lives

A major part of film focuses on every day trials of life handled especially by children , bond of relation that is maintained in handling small crisis that appears as big for children due to lack of money which is beautifully picturised by director with good soundtrack systems and the upheavals of emotions of children and parents , which keeps audience engrossed in watching the film

It can be stated here that a universal concept of points to ponder at...