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Summary: One of the greatest movies ever:
Review: I wasn't expecting much, despite the praises I'd heard, when someone told me that the plot of this movie was about a boy who loses his sister's shoes. But every aspect of this movie deserves praise.Its story is entertaining and subtle. Surprisingly even jaded people (like me) found it pleasing. Further, it contains some social-political criticism, the childrens' distrust of adults and their noble behavior make them a symbol of the oppressed. (My friend says it references the classic "The Bicycle Thief" in this regard.) Even if such symbolism isn't for you, the beauty and sweetness of the story is. The color and sound of this movie are first-rate. I expected foreign-film standards, but they are even better than most Hollywood movies. Even with a mediocre story, they would stand out. Another great aspect of the movie is its portrayal of life in Iran. Here is a beautiful country, so misunderstood in the West (especially America), intimate details of its life showing us the humanity of "our enemies." I guarantee you will like this movie, because it appeals to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: The Beauty of Children of Heaven
Review: Children of Heaven is one of the best Iranian films ever made. By director Majid Majid, this beautiful story about 2 children sharring shoes is touching and filled with emotion. For people who think this is just a movie, they are wrong. Through-out Iran there are many family's with economic problems that are so sad that they make you feel lucky for having what you have and make you realize that you do not need certain things in life to keep you happy. The boy in this film goes all out to get shoes for his little sister. You just want to cry when you see the boy in tears telling his sister that he lost her shoes. The boy enters a running event when he learns that he can get a pair of shoes if he wins 3rd place. You see him struggle his hardest in that race, and it changes your spirit. This film is one of the best I have ever seen, and to come from my background makes it even more special!!
Rating:
Summary: Just Heavenly!
Review: No sex, no cussing, no guns, no explosions, no car chases. Just a wonderful, sweet movie about nice people in difficult circumstances doing the best they can. Very charming and heart warming. I loved getting to see Iran and would be happy to go back for another visit hosted by Majid Majidi.
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Summary: Everyone should see this film
Review: Everyone should see this film. We can all learn a lot from Ali and Zahra. I finally bought the movie afer renting it several times to show friends and family this sweet story.
Rating:
Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air
Review: Beautifully done movie. Extremely insightful. It will give anyone who has ever wanted to win the big game or race a completely enlightening perspective. It's too bad children in America are force fed movies about winning like Mighty Ducks. They really should be watching movies more like this one. And maybe the $100 shoes on their feet won't seem so necessary.
Rating: 
Summary: A Child's Eye View...
Review: This film has been compared to a number of other foreign films of the heartwarming variety ("Kolya," "Cinema Paradiso"). Like those films, "Children of Heaven" features children in pivotal roles, and as in those films, the child actors seem remarkably unaffected and natural. This Iranian film, however, is perhaps even more "childlike" in its worldview. For that reason, despite the overall acclaim the film has garnered, there have been a number of critics who found it too treacly, too sentimental. As I recall, both Siskel and Ebert were thumbs down on this one for those very reasons. Well, I try to be as jaded as the next guy, but the sweetness of this film didn't particularly bother me. Keep in mind that the story is told primarily from the point of view of the children. Unlike, say, "Kolya" which is about how an adult is changed by the presence of a child in his life, this is a film which focuses primarily the hopes and fears of its child protagonists. It's hard for adults to recall how bewildering the world can be for a small child trying to make sense of it. Children learn quickly that they can get into trouble--even when they are not at fault--when adults are too stressed, emotionally or financially, to really listen. They learn too that other adults (teachers and other authority figures) may be impossible to confide in, since they may not even begin to understand and because the need to keep family secrets secret is impressed on the youngsters so early. These "Children of Heaven" seem thwarted at every turn. Every time things look like they'll go right for them, fate takes an ironic twist. At times, it's almost too frustrating to see these tykes face yet another setback, but somehow they seem to muddle on...and maybe that's the lesson they--and we--need to learn. It's a sweet film, with considerable insight into another culture we need to learn more about, and more importantly, into the world of children, which we could stand to remember better.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent and heart-warming film
Review: This is a fine film for both children and adults. I originally saw it in a movie theater where the kids, from Iran, could understand it without the subtitles. Even without that added environmental attraction, this is an outstanding film. Though there is only a subtle political message (about economic inequality), one does get a picture of life in Iran and of Muslims living daily lives, not making news in the West. This is a movie with real human characters, genuine and understated--the opposite of the stereotypic Hollywood film.
Rating:
Summary: Movie from the Heaven...
Review: nominated as one of the five best foreign language films in oscar this year, children of heaven tells about a tender and moving tale of compassion, determination and deep family love and it definitely deserves the nomination and even surpasses life is beautiful which finally won.
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what i am most impressed by this iranian jewel is its simplicity but yet it is surprisingly brilliant and effective. the film follows the life and relationship between a young boy, ali and his sister, zahra who are living in a poor family in rural tehran. They are then put into a difficult dilemma after ali lost her sister's only pair of shoes, whether they should tell their parents or they should solve the problem by their own. well, yeah they chose the latter and they go to school with the same pair of sneakers every day (how? watch it and you will know!). the most touching scene comes at the end, where ali determines to participate in a long-distance race in order to win the third-place prize of running shoes for his sister. yeah it is so touching that i cried when ali finally won the race, but ops, the champion! (well, not many movies can make me cry but this one......).
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the cinematography is neat and is typical of iranian films. the shot of ali with tears running down from his cheeks should hardly be forgotten from audience's minds. the persian music throughout the film is effective. hey i love children of heaven and i am sure you will have a great time watching it too!
Rating:
Summary: The Need to Masqerade the Message-You have to Loose to Win
Review: The film is brillant and courageous. The nuance delicate and profound. I applaud this success of the artists stuggle to find expression. The medium of this delightful story of children in Iran tells us so much more about the restraints and tradgedy of the culture.
The mother crushed and immobilized by pain, the flase bravado of the tragic father, actually a big frightened child himself. Everyone cowing to his feelings with little room to notice the anguish of the children left to care for each other and the "grown ups". The gentle brother maneuvering around his sister's shrill needs. The ultimate truth that they live in a world where you have to loose to WIN- because the "self", the individual's feelings are neglected - entrapped in a web of sacrifice that is only pretty on the surface- but up close, underneath the veneer of giving is profound lonliness and saddness. Appreciation is not a part of the formula. The only living thing that cares for and kisses this young boys wounds are the GOLDFISH.
Rating:
Summary: A Picture of Pure faith and perseverance
Review: This movie shows how human beings are far from each other while living in the same city or street or home. How we assume what is going on with others while it can be totally wrong. It also shows the never dying what aspect of us, which makes us a human being. This movie is good for those who are distanced from real life and its purity, for those who live the real life, and for the rest of humanity who are in between. This is a movie about us the creatures who roam around the planet and want to make a difference, about us with our facades and without them. I recommend this movie to those of us who want to touch life and it beauty.
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