Children of Heaven

Children of Heaven

Introduction

A child of Heaven is a 1997 movie directed by Majidi Majidi. The movie is based on the drama of an Iranian family living in abject poverty. The movie adventure revolves around the lost shoes and the unconditional love between a brother and a sister. It is a movie for a children-dominated audience, as is reflected on its simple plot and short subtitles.  It should be noted that the directors of most Iranian films base their film stories on children to avert an active government censorship program. At the time of film setting, the Iranian government was ruled by a dictatorial regime which suppressed the citizen’s freedom of expression. As such, the gap between the rich and the poor widened (Amjad, 26). However, there is a gleam of hope in the seemingly happy family despite the poverty.

In the film, Iranian lifestyle is documented in greater detail. The director sought to offer a glimpse of Tehran’s culture through the scenes such as the unraveling of the woolen garment for knitting, and the availability of less desirable potatoes. The film also reveals the role that women play in an Iranian society as housewives, while men are supposed to make provisions for the family.

There is an episode when Ali and Amir Naji, his father ride a bike in an unforgiving terrain as they search for gardening work. This struggle is a representation of the extra miles that the poor have to cover to ensure their families can have a meal. It is not the case, however, when the super rich are considered. In Iran, the rich attain their status through the establishment of strong connections with the ruling families. Thus, the political environment is conducive for thriving in corrupt activities through shoddy deals. In the end, the living standards of the people that are ranked lower in the social status deteriorate (Majidi, 102).

The film director injects hope in the future generation, especially when there is a materialization of friendship between a child from a rich family and Ali. Though the child was lonely and desperate for friendship, the scene symbolizes the possible bridging of the gap between the rich and the poor. However, due to the complex nature of social rankings in Iran, the gap could be closed by future generations.

After the loss of Zahra’s shoes, the children devised an ingenious solution to ensure that both could wear the same pair of shoes undetected by their parents and the school authorities. They would soon discover that the plan could not offer a lasting solution. During the shoe exchange proceeds, any of them could get late in attending a class session. Heartbreaks are common in the film including the time when Zahra regards her lost shoes. Desperation and suffering won’t exist if not for the extreme poverty and social inequality that threatened political tensions in Iran.

The determination by Ali to run the long distance race was inspired by the need to win the ultimate price for a third position. He knew that second runners-up will be awarded a pair of shoes as a consolation price. As such, the love for his sister and the urge to give the price shoes to her (should he win) is a testament of sheer will by the poor people in Iran to succeed. Ali is surprised by the attention that the game is given—it is filmed momentously like Rocky’s boxing game. The attention could not deter him from achieving his ultimate goal.

Zahra cares for the elderly in the neighborhood. It is one of the many kind customs of Iranian religious families. The Muslim religion instills kindness and generosity to the poor devotees. It is in contrast to what is seen among the rich Iranian population, where their greed for wealth amplifies their individualistic trait.

In Tehran, children are brought up in a manner that instills fear in them, especially in their relationship with the parents and the elder people. This culture is evidenced by Ali and Zahra’s reluctance in informing their parents about their lost shoes. It is clear that they were keenly aware of the present difficulties and thus did not want to overburden their parents with worries and hardships. Notably, the film is dotted by the events that centers on poverty and struggles of young people to fit into a divided society (Bayat, 45). However, the film director made sure that children can easily identify with the events as they unfold.  He targeted children as the main audience; hence the need to incorporate a sense of innocence in parts played by the major characters.

Conclusion

Though the government censorship program was active on film that threatens the country’s stability, the director succeeded in depicting the life in Tehran (Iran’s capital) to an international audience. The success of Children of Heaven relied on its theme on children and the simplicity of the message it was intended to pass. As such, the Westerners had a rare glimpse of the life and culture of religious people of a Middle East state. However, it is disheartening to learn of the struggles and suffering of the poor due to the wide gap between the poor and the rich.

                                                              Works Cited       

Amjad, Mohammed. Iran: from Royal Dictatorship to Theocracy. Vol. 242. Greenwood Pub Group, 1989: 12-63.

Bayat, Asef. Life as politics: How Ordinary People Change the Middle East. Stanford University Press, 2013: 32-106.

Majidi, Majidi. Children of Heaven. Alliance Entertainment Singapore, 2000:77-152.