Children of Heaven

Summary

 This film is about the struggles of a family in Iran that is just barely getting by.  Ali the son one day went out to do chores given to him by his mother to buy groceries and pick up his sisters shoes, however he loses them. He then looks all over, but there nowhere to be found. Disappointed in himself he goes back home to tell his sister (Zahra). Ali knowing that his dad didn’t have the money for new shoes for his sister he decided to let his sister use his. Zahra agreed to this and they would need to trade the shoes in-between the time  Zahra gets out and Ali needs to attend.  This would sometimes cause a problem and Ali would come late to school and almost got his dad called in. Zahra didn't like wearing Ali's shoes and wanted nicer shoes like some of the other girls in her class. However no matter how hard Ali tried he couldn't get her new shoes. He joined a race where the 3rd place prize was a pair of shoes and got first instead because of his misfortune that the race ended up being so close that there was no way to tell what spot he was going to get and ends up wining. His parents and coach where so happy for him, but he was holding back his tears. He couldn't keep his promise to Zahra by not getting her new shoes.

 

 Major theme

Poverty, family, misfortune, and  responsibility are the main themes.  The family has to budget all there money and can't even afford a new pair of shoes. The father also expects Ali to be more like an adult even though he's so young. This shows how in lower income families the children have to grow up faster to help the family get by.     

Reaction

I really felt bad for the family and the way they are forced to live there life. It shows me how fortunate I am to have all the things I have. Some people are forced to live in poverty with little chance of a brighter future and most of us don't even realize how lucky we are. Even though it was a low budget film it was directed very well and the story so impelling. I also really like the ending because it also shows that sometimes we won't always get what we want. Ali never got the shoes, but I feel like because of his perseverance he still will get something better at the end even though we don't get to see it.