Bacheha-Ye aseman

Plot synopsis:
The film starts with Ali fetching his little sister Zahra's pink shoes after a cobbler has repaired them. He leaves them unattended to buy some potatoes. While he is pre-occupied, a homeless man picks up the shoes, hidden in a bag, thinking it was garbage and takes them away. Frantic to find them, the young boy thinking the shoes fell behind the crates knocks over plates of vegetables and is chased away by the grocer.
Ali's family lives in a poor South Tehran neighbourhood, and are having financial trouble, so he fears to tell his parents about the mishap. The landlord argues with Ali's mother because she is five months behind on the rent, and the grocer has not been paid in a while either. Ali tells Zahra about the shoes and begs her not to tell their mother; she agrees. That night, Ali's father scolds him for not helping his ill mother when she asked. While the siblings were doing their homework, they passed notes to each other discussing what to do. They devise a scheme to share Ali's Converse sneakers: Zahra will wear them to school in the morning and return them to Ali at midday so he can attend afternoon classes. Ali does well on a test and his teacher awards him a gold-colored pen with the others in his class that got good grades; he gives it to Zahra to partially make up for losing her shoes. However, the uncomfortable arrangement between him and his sister leads to Ali being late three times in a row, no matter how hard he runs; the first time the principal ignores him, the second time he gives him a warning, the third time he tells Ali to leave and return with his father who is at work trying to make money. Ali's teacher noticing Ali's tears persuades the principal that Ali is at the top of his class and to give the boy one more chance and let him back into class.
One day, Zahra notices her missing pink shoes on another student, Roya's, feet. After class, Zahra secretly follows Roya home. She later brings Ali with her for a confrontation, but from hiding, they discover that Roya's father, the garbageman, is blind, so they decide to leave. When Roya does well in her studies, her father buys her new blue shoes and throws away Zahra's. Zahra is dismayed when she finds out from her new friend.
Ali's father, anxious to earn more money, borrows some gardening equipment and heads off with Ali to the rich suburbs of North Tehran to find some gardening work. They try many places without success, though Ali proves to be a great help to his tongue-tied father. Finally, they come upon a mansion in which a six-year-old boy named Alireza lives under the care of his grandfather. While Ali plays with Alireza, his father works. When he is finished, Ali's father is surprised and elated by how generous the grandfather is. On the way home, Ali mentions in passing that Zahra could use a new pair of shoes; his father says that new shoes for his children is a good idea, however, their elation is short lived as their bicycle's brakes fail and the father is injured in the resulting crash.
Finally, Ali learns of a high-profile children's 4 kilometer footrace involving many schools; the third prize is one week at a vacation camp and a pair of sneakers. Ali sees this as his chance to earn a new pair of shoes for Zahra. To his bitter disappointment, in a hard-fought dash to the finish, he accidentally places first instead. Ali returns home where Zahra is waiting for him. However, before he can reveal to his sister his disappointment in his placement in the race, she is called away by their mother. In a separate scene, there is a quick shot of the children's father's bicycle as he's riding home, showing a pair of white and a pair of pink shoes among his purchases. In the final shot, Ali is dejected as his sneakers are torn from the race—he is then shown dipping his bare blistered feet in a pool.
Some versions include an epilogue revealing that Ali eventually achieves success in a racing career.

Tags: romantic, intrigue, realism

Review:
From the start of the film, we see the relationship between brother and sister, played with equal warmth by Bahare Seddiqi, strained as he explains how he lost her shoes.
Simple things bring Ali pleasure, blowing bubbles, swinging on swings with his new found friend, the smiles and laughter of the children is absorbing.Later in the film we see Ali enter a race in order to win a pair of brand new sneakers for his sister.
Again we see the division of wealth, as Ali races through the streets, the thoughts and images of his sister swirling in his head, and on screen, while at the same time, parents of other children film the race on camcorders, all the time Ali running, fighting for the shoes he needs so desperately.The film is directed perfectly, and the credit for this goes to Majid Majidi, whose films have won acclaim worldwide.
Throughout the movie, the expressions and emotions displayed by the children speak far louder than any dialogue ever could.The film is not dialogue intensive, and one could easily watch the film, and understand the story, even without the aid of subtitles.
It is sometimes tough to watch the emotions played out, but ultimately, worth every second.Missing this film, particularly if simply put off by the fact it is foreign language, would a sad deprivation of the senses and the heart.
The wonderful Iranian film "Children of Heaven" and its companion piece, "The White Balloon", remind one of those great Czechoslovakian films of the 1960's ("The Shop on Main Street," "Loves of a Blonde," etc.) in that they achieve their artistry by providing keenly observed glimpses into the minutiae of everyday life.
Its simple story echoes not merely the earlier "The White Balloon" but the original Italian classic, "The Bicycle Thief." In this film, young Ali accidentally loses his sister's recently mended shoes; out of this tale of utmost simplicity, the filmmakers take us on a fascinating tour of life in a typical Iranian village and family.
As Ali and his sister scheme to overcome this obstacle, the film touches on any number of universal themes: the close ties of siblings united in their common bond of avoiding often irrational parental anger; well meaning, loving parents overwhelmed with the trials of everyday life who are often compelled to act out in ways that seem cruel to the children who adore them; the petty viciousness with which children often strike out at each other, yet, at the same time, the often unexpected kindness and empathy with which they also treat one another.
Beautifully directed, with a superb soundtrack filled with heightened naturalistic noises, it is a film of many-splendored wonders, its lyricism caught in a glimpse of soap bubbles floating around a backyard produced by two children abandoned to their moment of incomprehensible youthful joy, its high drama found in a shoe racing down a city sewer with a desperate young girl in tow.The actors, children and adults alike, underplay their roles in so naturalistic a fashion that one does not even feel they are performing at all; the film, through them, becomes a magical fabric of life that draws the audience deep into its world."Children of Heaven" brilliantly demonstrates that works of art often arise from the observation of the most seemingly mundane concerns of daily life and reminds us that this provides far more drama than all the exploding spaceships, car chases and hyperkinetic melodrama that flood the screen in the guise of entertainment.
That is why I could talk for days about this wonderful Oscar Submission!Children Of Heaven is one of those rare films that not only I want to talk about, but everyone else who has seen it seems to be raving about.
After it's first showing at the festival, people were indeed talking!"Did you see that film from Iran?" "No, any good?" "Just wait, go see it, we'll talk later!"The Children Of Heaven follows the relationship between an impoverished brother and sister, Ali and Zahra, who are thrust into a difficult circumstance all revolving around a pair of sneakers.
After watching "Children", it occurred to me that I have, perhaps, never seen an Iranian film I didn't like.
I feel more than a tinge of remorse, even embarrassment, when I think of the millions of Iranians who see far too many American films where children are portrayed, more often than not, as selfish, wise-cracking, foul-mouthed, bullying, disrespectful, totally inconsiderate little brats.
All I can say to them is just reflect carefully for a moment on the value systems of the kids in the movie...maybe then you will be able to feel much more satisfied with this great cinematic experience.10*....ENJOY/DISFRUTELA!Any comments, questions or observations, in English or Español, are most welcome!.....KissEnglishPasto@Yahoo.com.
CHILDREN OF HEAVEN, a film by Iranian filmmaker, Majid Majidi, takes us into the world of a little boy and his sister, letting us feel the love and trust that they have in each other.
This film presents a sweet story of a brother and sister, their bond and their unique solution to solving the problem of a pair of lost shoes.
Central character, Ali, the 9 year old brother, is Mir Farrokh Hashemian, who really carried the film with his legwork, and the younger sister Zahra is Bahareh Seddiqui, who contributed her restrained share of screen presence.
Children's emotions untapped, yet adults are not left out -- touches of  grown-up connections: the parents, the elderly couple next door, the shop-owners, all made this world very real.The camerawork, and the well-designed use of sound mixed with accompanying music (different tonal quality instruments were applied) complemented this cinematic experience.
A poetic ending -- there's a serenity about it all.I hope "Children of Heaven" will win this year's 71st Academy Award Best Foreign Film Oscar -- it will receive its due exposure and more people will experience this gem.Along the lines of poverty and shoes, I thought of  the Italian 1978's "The Tree of the Wooden Clogs" by writer-director Ermanno Olmi.
Majid Majidi's Children of Heaven is such an extraordinary work of movie-making that it is in a realm of movies that are able to connect with anyone who remembers (or is amidst) their childhood, regardless of what country they come from.
(Note: Films that have a universal appeal aren't necessarily better than films that only appeal to people from one or two countries, but making a film with a universal appeal is no easy task.) A boy named Ali (Amir Farrokh Hashemian) loses his sister Zahra's ((Bahare Seddiqi) running shoes; Zahra threatens to tell their father (Mohammad Amir Naji).
The film was made with great simplicity and soul, and its impact is perfectly made through the characters of Ali and Zahra, two amazing kids who can set an example to anyone.
Children of Heaven, which is Iran's selection for best foreign film at the Academy Awards, is a very good movie mainly because anyone in this world can relate to the topic of family and showing love to each other no matter the living circumstances.
As an Iranian film, it is definitely played safe but a film with such an universal theme and elegantly told as here should really not be missed, especially by movie-lovers.Majid Majidi's film is about a young boy named Ali who accidentally lost his sister Zahra's shoes.
Reza Naji who plays as their father is also good as the man who is trying to do all he can to provide food for his family.Overall, Children of Heaven is a simple film but it displays a strong message about the bond of family.
this movie is one of the best movie i have ever see in my life...it was beautiful, it was well directed and the camera movements were pretty good, its just a small story with a big adventure, this movie shows love, happiness, and the poor people lives in Iran can't even afford to buy a pair of shoe..its a great movie...this whole movie is about the kid who lost the pair of shoes when he kept the shoe outside the store and the garbage man picks it up with all the other garbages, without knowing what to do, brother and sister lies to their mom and dad.
Of course I had to clarify that Jack Neo's Homerun is an adaptation of it, given that he found some similarities in plot, but I must say, any movie is worth its salt if it can move my pops.There are so many things I like about Children of Heaven, and basically, the children Ali (Amir Farrokh Hashemian) and Zahra (Bahare Seddiqi) who play the siblings, will definitely tug at your heartstrings with their innocence.
The story goes that Ali happened to lose his sister's shoes during an errand run, and coming from a poor family, that spells disaster.
Majid Majidi has created characters that endear, but yet not out- of-reach fictional, as they are easily identifiable given that hey, these are the kind of sibling love, or blood being thicker than water, that almost everyone would have experience, or heard about.Being my first Majid Majidi movie, I'm definitely piqued to want to watch a whole lot more of his films.
Therefore I can't say anything about other films he has made, but I can say this about "The Children of Heaven: "Mr. Majid Majidi Thank You very much for this masterpiece of cinema!".
Children of Heaven is a beautiful film that deals with a boy (9) and his sister (7) and their adventures over a lost pair of shoes.
Young Ali is like many a Hitchcock hero in that the unwanted circumstances he finds himself in are not his fault, but he doesn't really know that."Children" reveals things most Americans think they already know about Iran: Strong patriarchal society, strange mix of high tech and ancient coexisting comfortably, certainly not diverse the way we perceive it.
It is touching in its simplicity, true in the feelings that it focuses, blinding in the sublime form as it approaches, starting from the simple story of a poor Iranian child, such universal subjects.
It this was son, Iranian Director Majid Majidi accepted the challenge, and has made Children of Heaven, the most moving and perfect piece of neo-realism that has been filmed outside of Italy.
This is my favorite movie because no movie was able to touch my heart as this movie did.This is the best children movie ever made.I had seen it four year ago in television and after this i have seen it about 10 times and all the time i found it amazing.this movie is for family viewing and nothing is negative in the movie, but on the other side itis a very realistic movie.The best part of movie is it simplicity,even Hollywood should not be able to reach such level of film making.
Even the kid's race in the end is excellently made, making us cheer for the boy as never before.The cast is great, specially the brothers, and the director has certainly given us a lesson of directing.
Majid Majidi did a film about one poor family where the little son (Ali) lost his sister's shoes.
Writer/Director Majidi tackles issues like poverty, necessity, selflessness, purity of childhood, sibling-love, perseverance and determination with such aesthetic and charm, without being melodramatic.After five minutes into the movie, the kid Ali confesses to her sister Zahra that he lost her shoes and he couldn't find them; the innocence and sadness portrayed in this scene draws you into their lives immediately.
Even the supporting performances of Ali's father and the-small-girl-in-school are quite commendable.Losing something you're entrusted to, getting into trouble at home/school, asking your sibling/friend to cover up for you, sharing responsibilities when someone you care is sick, determination to win something with a larger goal in mind - these themes are so universal that a kid or adult from any place could easily relate to.
All the running around eventually pays off when Ali gets selected into the school race team; we never really realize how we acquire certain talents.Other than the brilliant acting, the artistically shot scenes and the remarkable background score add to the beauty and feel of the movie.
OH majid majidi, i had fallen in love with your kind of story telling, this CINEMA has changed my perception about the CINEMA , the best move i have ever seen in my lifetime as﻿ i can say with no doubt.i smiled when the children had smile,i cried when they cried instinctively, i have experienced it as it should be.
cinema doesn't need big budget, computer generated images,stars when this kind of director is there...there is nothing to say about story,it has just one line as the boy lose her sister shoes,until they get new pair they should be adjust with one pair of shoe in daily bad circumstances at that age.love you majid majidi..
Through Majidi's artful directorship we get an intimate understanding of two children's (Ali & Zahra) thoughts, feelings, and intentions from start to end.
The whole story is focus on one pair of lost shoe, which belongs to Ali's little sister.
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)..
I watched Three Iranian movies in as many days (The Day I Became A Woman, A Moment of Innocence and then, Children of Heaven) and now I want to locate a bad Iranian film.
anyway at least a break from Hollywood"however, when i started i found myself totally absorbed into this movie, which is so plain and pure about a little boy and his sister, who had to go through with only one pair of schooling shoes.
while in Majidi's film, Ali and Zahra make the story just like happen around yourself.
I would have never imagine of making a movie on a pair of shoes..in such a beautiful manner (but after all he is Majid Majidi).
If cuteness is big on your list you'll love this movie,the children are incredible actors,your heart goes out to them.it is also beautifully shot,I enjoyed it far more than Life is Beautiful,and wanted it to win the Oscar,but I guess it just wasn't as popular..
The children are wonderful; the story so real (at least for those of us from a poor family background) and the narrative's progress utterly convincing.Other contributors here have expressed the meaning of this film in far more eloquent and comprehensive ways than I ever could so, I will not go down the road of explaining the plot or its ramifications.
Every time I watch an Iranian film I am amazed, it's not only Kiarostami, also Asghar Farhadi and Majid Majidi delight us with that special taste of simplicity and beauty.
This films gives unique insight into the eventful, yet ordinary life of two young Muslim siblings, Zohre and her older brother Ali. When Ali loses his sister's shoes the duo decide to share Ali's in fear that his poverty ridden family will become upset.
Movies that come close in terms of impact created and brilliance in film making are bicycle thief, life is beautiful, pursuit of happiness, hachiko, shwaas (marathi), kanchivaram (tamil) and parts of colour of paradise (from the same director as children of heaven).
The most amazing thing which I found about this movie was it was just based on a pair of shoes which a boy named Ali loses it unfortunately.
This Iranian film depicts the love a young boy named Ali has for his younger sister named Zahra.
"Children of Heaven" looks at a poor Iranian boy (9)and his quest to be responsible and deserving of the love of his sister (6) by replacing her shoes which he has lost.
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.
This is a great movie especially for children: the plot is simple, there is no real villain, the main characters are children, and it's an excellent eye-opener about how life is lived in a very different society.It suffers a bit because it is too simple, and doesn't have quite enough tension to keep adults fully interested; but since it is fairly short, it doesn't really drag either.The story illustrates the story of a very poor family in which the brother (Ali) manages to lose the only pair of shoes that his sister (Zahra) has.
Then again, the art of film-making lies in subtleness, but I thought this might have been too subtle.This is an excellent didactic movie for children: it promotes decency and goodness and it teaches the value of self-sacrifice and caring for others in one's family; that even when one is poor, one can perform acts of charity towards others even less fortunate; that the greatest nobility in human character can be found among the poorest and most destitute, but also among the rich (e.g., the grandfather who hires Ali's father as gardener).
It's also a story of material poverty of the children, but richness in feelings and beauty between a brother and a sister.
Going back to home after it gets repaired Ali (the brother) lost the shoe and their turns up the beginning of the movie.
It's a simple, linear story with very few frills or great twists, told engagingly and with great warmth.The movie was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1999 Oscars, losing out in the end to Life is Beautiful..
Children of Heaven is the story of how young boy Ali survives day to day life after misplacing his sister Zahra's shoes.
Lost shoes seem like one such problem, yet Ali's family is poor.