Children of Heaven

Iranian cinematography is one the Asian's most influential film industries. Its reputation is primarily being built on heavy drama genre and "Children of heaven" is one of those dramas. The story is quite simple. Brother and a sister must share a pair of sneakers due to his clumsiness that lead to the losing of her repaired shoes. Overall atmosphere is grim and heavy economical situation is the basis of the plot. On the other hand, both kid actors are just adoring and the script is really consistent in its basic punch line. Director Majid Majidi follows that consistency with its camera and action sequences (mostly running) all the way to a bit of disappointing ending. "Children of heaven" is a powerful and timeless "family drama" for the entire family that will make you stop taking things for granted.

Fresh, plain, pure and sincere.Sometimes our movies don't need too much to reach people and have a huge impact.The picture of the goldfish kissing the children's feet at the end is so beautiful.

Iranian cinema is source of precious meetings. this film is not an exception. it is fresh, delicate, powerful. its story is basic. acting remains key. slice of ordinary reality, it is a form of poem. about small things. about profound sorrow. a smoke circle and a great science to do a precious picture about childhood corners, poverty, hope, joy, need of sense for existence, subtle form of miracle. the red fishes and sport shoes. a boy and his family. a chance. in fact, show of gentle, admirable beauty. beauty of a soul state. like large sea in evening. like prey. and bitter lesson about force of innocence. Bacheha - Ye aseman is a little more than a film. it is a carpet of silences, looks and running.

Being American born of Persian ancestry, I've always tried to seek out Persian cinema, and had heard about Children of Heaven from various family members. I finally was able to see it tonight and am terribly pleased I did. I loved seeing Ali's and Zahrah's relationship with each other...as someone commented here, it is touching without being sentimental. Majidi didn't set out to make sentimental film - it is straightforward in its approach even dealing with the poor section that Zahrah and Ali live in. I must add also I'm always happy to see a movie that doesn't show Iran in a fundamentalist/terrorist light. Another movie if you enjoyed this one, is Panahi's The White Balloon which also is about a child's plight (this time involving goldfish).

Wow this film is so lovely, it shows the love and bounding between brother and sister. It reminded me my childhood. The kids acted very well it was looking like a real story. The innocence on there faces. The brother is making all efforts to get her new shoes and the girl's tears made me cry. It is my best film for forever in kids movie.

A simple tale of two siblings and a pair of shoes executed perfectly by Majid Majidi. The story is emotional, humorous, sad and inspiring all at the same time. The acting is on par with any Hollywood A-Lister, where the child actors especially shine. The scenes all have a raw feel to them showing us the poverty stricken lives of our protagonists where something so simple as a pair of shoes can mean the world to them. A great watch!