I was about to switch off my television after the telecast of the 81st Annual Academy Awards, when the film started. I was not very sure whether I would watch it. It was around 10:30 a.m in the morning, I had lots of pending household chores waiting for me. The glimpse of a pair of dilapidated pink girl's shoes on the screen, caught my attention. The illegible scripts informing about the film's cast and crew indicated it was a film from the middle-east. Could be one from Israel or Iran? My interest grew and I stuck back to my chair. I thank myself that I decided to watch the film. It was a sublime journey through the realms of innocence. The film was Children of Heaven ( Bacheha Ye Aseman ), made in 1997, written and directed by the acclaimed film director from Iran, Majid Majidi. I got these last information from IMDB.
Little boy Ali, on his way back from the market, stops at the grocer's to get some potatoes. He keeps his belongings, which included a packet with his younger sister Zahra's mended shoes. While he is inside the shop collecting the potatoes, the roaming vendor who buys and sells old things, comes up. Along with some of the discarded materials of the shopkeeper, he picks up the packet of shoes also and goes away. Ali comes out and could not find the shoes. He goes home upset, and tells his sister the truth. He promises her to find it back and not to inform the parents. Zohra has no choice but to wear her brother's half torn sneakers to school. They manage to share the same pair day after day, taking advantage of the different school timings, though it means that Zohra has to run back fast from school each day, and after exchanging , Ali has to run faster to reach school in time.
One day at school, Ali comes to know that the third prize for an inter-province long distance race among school boys will be a pair of new sneakers. Yes, not the first, neither the second, Ali promises his little sister to stand third in the competition , so that he can get the pair of sneakers. He tells her he will exchange the new pair of shoes for a pretty girl's pair. Ali runs fast, and wins the race. Applauded by teachers, thronged by cameramen, the little boy ruefully stares at the new pair of sneakers, his eyes welling up.
Back home, Zohra is disappointed at the news of the win. Throwing off his torn shoes, Ali dips his blistered pair of feet into the water tank. The pet red fishes gather and dance around his feet.
The film sees the world from the children's point of view. Innocense permeates throughout the film. There are some wonderful moments. In one scene, Zohra is ashamded of her brother's dirty pair of shoes in the sports class. She secretly moves at the back of the line, not to come into the notice of the teacher. At one point of time, the teacher tells them that wearing a pair of sneakers is much better that wearing fancy shoes to school. She appreciates those who are wearing sneakers. Immediately, the little girl feels confident and proud and finds a place for herself in the foreground.
The end of the film is poignant in its message. What Life offers us are not always the things we wish to have. Acquiring the first position in the race had no importance to the boy whose sole aim of participating in the competition was to get a new pair of shoes for his little sister. The innocent wishes of the children could not withstand reality. The children of Heaven , with their welled eyes and disarming smiles face the weary world. Perhaps this is where Innocence leaves stage for Experience.
A honest review of the film would not be complete without mentioning the excellent performances of the child actors. Convincing and charming, the two kids will leave a warm impression for you to cherish for a while.