Ali and Zahra over coming obstacles and what the director did well and what didn't work

Rating: 7/10 (9 February 2007)

"Children of Heaven" is a movie that communicates many different ideas. It shows that even though you are small and don't think you have much you can make a difference. Because Ali's sister had no shoes, Ali and Zahra had to come up with a plan so that they both could go to school with one pair of shoes between them. The whole movie is built around the struggle of these children and the need for Zahra to have shoes but they make it work without the help of an adult. It's also a movie of hope, no matter what your situation looks like there will still come a light at the end of the tunnel. Ali and his family are very poor and Ali's father cannot catch a break. Ali and father go to the city and are able to make a significant amount of money. If it were not for Ali, Ali's father would have turned away and given up. This goes back to the idea of young Ali making a difference when an adult could not. Because Ali and his father made that money His father was able to but food, pay the rent and buy both Ali and Zahra shoes. Ali didn't expect to get shoes he was more concerned with his sister getting shoes but he was also rewarded. I believe there were many messages in the movie and symbolism with Muslim undertones that would not be clear if you are not familiar with that religion. Think the idea of faith in Allah to help you when you need it is one of the main ideas. Also, he may not help you when you would like him to but he will not leave you hung out to dry. I think it was good that the director used a Middle Eastern setting and cast. The movie was in the native Middle-eastern language and I think the culture was portrayed accurately. This movie was not an American film in the Middle East. This movie is an authentic Middle-Eastern movie that we Americans have the privilege off viewing. I think the director's decision to use a natural setting and culture for this movie mad it more real to the viewer.
There were some points in this movie I thought didn't work. There were some scenes that were too long, like the opening scene of the cobbler and the shoes or the children running back and forth to school or even Ali's race at the end. I kept expected something surprising to happen during these long scenes but it never came. It seemed like there was something the author wanted you to focus on but I never really figured out what that was. However, my views may be a product of the western cinema I am accustomed to.
I would recommend this movie, I thought it was entertaining and had a simple plot. It reminded me of a children's cartoon, where one unexpected event snowballs into a series of unfortunate event and everything works out in the end. It is not an action packed movie, a thriller or a perplexing logical movie but it is insight into another culture that is commonly misunderstood by Americans.