Children of Heaven (1997)

Almost a year ago (I thought it happened in 2017, to be honest), Children of Heaven (بچه‌های آسمان‎‎ Bačče-hâ-ye âsemân) popped out in a Thursday Movie Picks post, and it sounded interesting so, shame on me for taking this long, I decided to watch it, and what can I say, thank to whoever recommended it (I think it was Brittani).

Ali (Amir Farrokh Hashemian) accidentally loses the only pair of shoes of his sister Zahra (Bahare Seddiqi) and tries to make up for it by sharing his sneakers with her while still trying to find the lost shoes.

This sounds like a very simple story and it is, but this is one of those times when a simple story is all it takes to make a movie great as it allows the film to be much deeper in content. In fact, instead of wasting time and energies on writing a complex plot, director and writer Majid Majidi focused on the beautiful relationship between brother and sister, a heartwarming, caring relationship based on love and respect. The concern and protection Ali shows for his little sister Zahra are a pure joy to witness. This relationship is a real breath of fresh air, especially for those used to the typical sibling rivalry Hollywood loves.

Miramax Films

The heart of the film is Amir Farrokh Hashemian and Bahare Seddiqi, respectively playing Ali and Zahra. They both play their characters with incredible depth. There's warmth in their performances and their chemistry is just wonderful (I wish I had this kind of relationship with my brother).

Children of Heaven doesn't only show that beautiful and moving fraternal relationship, but it also shows the importance of family and religion. Also, it offers a look into a world we don't know and probably wouldn't be able to understand. It shows all the things we take for granted. It doesn't take an iPhone or the latest videogame to bring joy to Ali, but the simple things in life, like blowing bubbles or swinging on the swing. It's amazing how much these kids go through and yet still find a reason to smile and laugh.