The Innocence of Childhood

Rating: Null/10 (27 April 2010)

With sheer simplicity, passion, innocence and poetry, Majidi tells the story of a brother and his sister in 'Bacheha-Ye Aseman'. Here is another director who uses his film-making element to the minimal (with no special effects, lavish sets, extraordinary action scenes etc) and can create something so magnificent. Simply put, 'Bacheha-Ye Aseman' is a slice of life. Majidi is such a sincere and passionate storyteller that he easily captures reality in his films. His shots are simplistic yet detailed enough. The backdrop of poverty, the ravishing natural landscape and the city wonderfully juxtapose each other. The score flows brilliantly with the natural sounds. The pure glimpse of life that the viewer gets of these two siblings is handled with care and tenderness and portrayed effectively. It feels like one is watching these people in real life. Another thing Majidi beautifully demonstrates is how middle class people cherish the simple moments while others take them for granted. Little Ali only wants to make third place in the race (he doesn't want 1st or 2nd) just so that he can get his sister a new pair of shoes to replace the ones he had lost. There's another wonderful scene that shows what a mere smile on a parent's face can do for a child. Majidi has tackled such daily themes with Ã©lan. The entire cast, especially child actors, Mohammad Amir Naji and Bahare Seddiqi, perform outstandingly. Majidi has done an incredible job in extracting natural performances from these two young actors. It easily ranks among the finest examples of acting by children. 'Bacheha-Ye Aseman' is a unique cinematic experience. It's a treat to watch and an enchanting cinematic gem.