Children of Heaven
A Little Secret... Their Biggest Adventure!
Overview
Zohre's shoes are gone; her older brother Ali lost them. They are poor, there are no shoes for Zohre until they come up with an idea: they will share one pair of shoes. School awaits.
Backdrop
What makes this movie Worth Watching
Children of Heaven was made during a period of relative openness in Iranian cinema, allowing filmmakers to explore social issues with more subtlety. The film avoids overt political statements, focusing instead on universal human values and family dynamics, making it accessible to international audiences despite its specific cultural setting.
- Its heartwarming portrayal of sibling love and sacrifice is universally relatable and emotionally resonant.
- The film's simple yet compelling narrative captures the innocence and resourcefulness of children in the face of adversity.
- Majid Majidi's masterful direction creates a visually stunning and emotionally authentic depiction of everyday life in Iran.
- The film offers a glimpse into a culture often unseen in Western cinema, providing valuable cross-cultural understanding.
Fun Facts
- The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, bringing Iranian cinema to a wider global audience.
- The actors who played Ali and Zahra, Amir Farrokh Hashemian and Bahare Seddiqi, were not professional actors and were chosen for their natural talent and chemistry.
Available Languages
English
US
Title: Children of Heaven
"A Little Secret... Their Biggest Adventure!"
Türkçe
TR
Title: Cennetin Çocukları
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Español
ES
Title: Los niños del paraíso
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Italiano
IT
Title: I bambini del cielo
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普通话
CN
Title: 小鞋子
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Český
CZ
Title: Božské děti
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Where to Watch
Cast
Crew
Reviews
'Children of Heaven' is quite sad in parts, though it ends up being rather wholesome in actuality. This 1997 flick features a simple premise but one that doesn't fail to draw at the heartstrings, I was immediately hooked into caring as soon as the youngsters appeared.
Amir Farrokh Hashemian is brilliant as Ali. I'm not one to feel overly emotional when watching fictional things, but I actually felt sad whenever the kid was sad... even when he was teary eyed, the little fella almost got me too! Bahare Seddiqi is also extremely sweet as Zahra.
Reza Naji is the best of the adults, I enjoyed his character. That scene with Ali at the gate buzzer is real nice. Other positives are the locations, cinematography and score - all of which I appreciated. I don't hold any negatives, in fact. A great introduction to Iranian cinema for me.
Oscar Awards
Wins
Haven't Won A Oscar
Nominations
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM - 1998
None