The perspective of a child. Unspoiled, unassuming, and uninfluenced by the horrors that be. That is the lens that Majid Majidi presents the audience with while embarking on this heartfelt tale that is the celebrated Iranian director's crowning achievement. A modest and understated narrative brought to life by a heavy message carried on by the tiny shoulders of its lead child actors, with their exemplary showing of grit and grace in the face of poverty and neglect. “Children of Heaven” nabbed Iran its first Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film and is a classic example of Iranian cinema's prowess in delivering pictures with a moralistic backbone.
Ali (Amir Farrokh Hashemian) patiently waits at the cobbler's shop as the wizened hand of the craftsman mends his sister, Zahra's (Bahareh Seddiqi) pair of pink shoes. The little man, only just a boy of nine, takes on a laundry list of duties and responsibilities while at the market and at home, navigating the complexities of life with a sensibility far beyond his years. However, his matured visage is betrayed by his age when the boy accidentally leaves his sister's mended shoes unattended outside a grocer while getting some potatoes for the family. When the shoe gets taken by a homeless person mistaking them for garbage, Ali's biggest fears come crashing down upon him. Tears flow like water in the turbulent aftermath that sees the siblings figuring out a way to get by with a single pair of shoes.
Life in Teheran is not easy; dull, harsh, and stressful for the hundreds of people making ends meet in the impoverished South. The same could be said for Ali's situation at home, with the family having trouble paying rent and his father (Reza Naji) barely getting by on a mere pittance to support three children. To prevent tearing the family further apart, the siblings decide to keep the lost shoes a secret and conceive a plan to circumnavigate the problem by themselves.
In a rare cinematic feat, the two young leads shoulder the bulk of the acting roles, and we are led along the ride with them through their childish innocence. Suddenly, a slight incident (like an instance when Zahra drops her brother's shoe into a drain) seems like a huge mishap and when Ali gets yelled at by his headmaster for being late for school, a visceral sense of childhood fear is recalled. On the flip side, it conversely invites the viewer to take a step back and celebrate the smallest of victories.
Throughout the journey, we are often met with a rubber-faced Amir Farrokh, who impressively shuffles between an array of emotions as seen from his many doe-eyed crying episodes to giddy exuberance at making a friend out of a kid from the wealthier suburbs up north. Bahareh Seddiqi complements her fellow castmate with a confident performance way beyond her years, a convincing picture of a sister in distress but trying her utmost best. All these are a product of Majidi's unparalleled direction, coupled with his understated mise-en-scène (extreme closeups and extended shots of everyday life chores) that elicit a great deal of emotional response.
“Children of Heaven” is to be enjoyed without expectations. It is a simple story. A thrilling biking accident involving Ali and his father is the furthest Majidi dares venture his film in the way of complications. And even so, it does not detract from the wholesome tone of the production that serves to inform about the richness of kinship and sacrifice over anything else. Singaporean director Jack Neo was so touched by his viewing of the picture, that he remade it in 2003; “Homerun” being perhaps the highlight of his career.
As Ali takes his triumphant leap to the finish line of a marathon in the third act, he cries once again. But these tears are ignored by the photographer who carries on snapping pictures of him at the victory ceremony, “Look here”, he says. Ali dries his tears, makes his way home and meets with his sister. No words are exchanged but none were needed. Zahra rushes to the aid of her crying baby sister. Ali walks towards the pond, where the goldfishes relieve his aching feet. Life goes on par the course for a movie as genuine and precious as it comes, for the children of heaven.
