The Children of Heaven

Rating:
Summary: A film for everyone
Review: It is a very touching and beautiful film.

Rating:
Summary: I WISH THERE WERE MORE MOVIES LIKE THIS IN THE STATES:
Review: I HAVE LIVED IN AFGHANISTAN, AND I HAVE SEEN IRAN ALSO. THIS MOVIE WAS SO REAL TO LIFE, AND THE ACTING WAS SUPERB BY ALL THE ACTORS. I FELT I WAS IN IRAN AGAIN. I NEVER CRY AT MOVIES BECAUSE I KNOW THEY ARE NOT REAL. BUT I CRIED AT THIS ONE BECAUSE THE SAME THING OCCURED TO MY HUSBAND WHO IS FROM AFGHANISTAN WHEN HE WAS A CHILD. IT EVEN HAD HUMOR IN IT TO OFF SET THE BAD THINGS THAT OCCURED.IT TEACHES OUR SELFISH CHILDREN OF TODAY HOW TO LOVE YOUR SISTER, AND BROTHER, SOMETHING THAT IS RARE IN TODAYS WORLD. THOSE CHILDREN AS WELL AS IN REAL LIFE KNEW THAT IN THIS WORLD ALL THEY REALLY HAD WAS EACH OTHER. IT SHOWS THE CHILDREN OF THIS COUNTRY, AS WELL AS THE DIRECTORS THAT A TASTEFUL, NON VIOLENT, AND NO SEX MOVIE CAN BE CREATED AND RECEIVE AN AWARD. I LOVED THIS MOVIE AND I AM BUYING IT BECAUSE OF THE LIFE LESSONS IT TEACHES.MY CHILDREN, TEENAGERS, AND ADULTS SAT THROUGH THIS SPELLBOUND.PLEASE MAKE MORE MOVIES LIKE THESE IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU! SUSAN T.

Rating:
Summary: A movie with a deeper meaning
Review: I really loved watching this movie and enjoyed sharing this film with my American friends. Even with subtitles they all loved the story. In real life people are going through rough times in Iran and we can see the impact of current events on the characters of this story. From the beginning to end, we see how the chacter Ali and his sister Zahra are worried about a lost shoe, and are not scared about that their parents might be mad, but more in terms that their dad might need to borrow

money for a shoe.

There's a scene where Zahra sees another girl with the exact same shoes like hers, and let's her brother know about the matter. Their might be a hidden clue the kids would want to steal the shoes from this other girl, but the two siblings realize this other girl's father is a blind man and just walk away.

It shows are unique taste of Iranian culture of the poor people in Urban Tehran. Although Iran is a very strict country, this movie has deeper clues of showing

how poverty is affecting even the children of Iran.

In the end of course many viewers will shocked by an abrupt conclusion, yet one must realize it is similar to an avant-garde film. There is joy, yet a feeling of sadness, victory, yet a feeling of loss. With the credits rolling, it is upto the audience to decide.

This movie definitely deserve 5 stars, and a lot of credit to the producers and directors who probably worked under pressure to make sure they release such a movie, and not have it sensored by the strict government.

Enjoy the movie, but look for clues which reflect the actual society of Iran. This movie shows a sense of hope for the fture of the Iranian people.

Rating:
Summary: Shoes is only a small matter....
Review: The thing that makes this movie beautiful to me is not only the love and devotion between the two brother and sister. The fact is that they are so understanding of their parent's situation as well,their innocence,their fear, that they do not dare to inform about the lost shoes. And, their determination and resilience.

This is my first Iranian movie, and I absolutely loved it. I will definitely be looking out for others as well. The scenes of the city and slums of Teheran was an interesting insight into this city that I have never seen. There are plenty of scene that stick in my mind...the two children frantically exchanging notes, Zahra desperately looking at the teacher's watch to see the time...the running back and forth of both kids...and many other.

This is one of those movie that is excellent for family viewing as well as for kids. There are no violence, no attitude problem, no smart-mouthing. Just 2 honest, innocent , parent-respecting kids. Good news is, a vast number of these obedient and respectful kids still exist in Asia, and I certainly hope there are too, in Americas and Europe.

Rating:
Summary: So what happened???
Review: Well, I did so much try to enjoy this film. Given the endless five out of five star ratings I would have thought that the effort whould not have been required. Yet here I sit dissatisfied. The childrens'characters are not fully developed. The parents and other adults in the film are portrayed as clueless and inept (or both in the case of the father). Shouldn't there have been more development of the interelationship between the adults impacting on the children's "adventure". Why didn't anyone ever ask Ali why he was consistently coming late to school all of a sudden? Because the parents/adults couldn't know of course! that was the point of the story; the kids'determination to keep the secret while being loyal to each other. So what was with the interminably long blank stares given by the two children upon Ali's return form the race with his news??? Shouldn't something have been said...anything? And what is with the (very brief) scene in which we see the father packing his bicycle with gifts for the family including, again, a very brief glimpse at some shoes included in the gift package? This scene sets us up for anticipating the children's joy (to say nothing of relief)at having their adventure come to a happy conclusion. But no. Imediately after this scene we get the "blank stares" scene and then the credits??? Which leads me to the title of my review... No, I beleive, a film requires more than a lack of gratuitous sex and violence to earn a perfect rating. Such films, as another reviewer wrote have been done before and certaintly have been done lot better. Two stars for the intent.

Rating:
Summary: something worth seeing
Review: I got to see and hear Iran like I had been there from an insiders perspective. The cracked fountain in their backyard reminded me of my house in Arizona, the look of the dusty heat was familar. But at the same time it was different. The way they dressed and how colorful with rugs and tapestries the inside of their house was, like a gingerbread house in a fairy tale. The whole tale reminded me of a parellel of Hansel and Gretel, a real life version except there were no evil witches and there was no real gingerbread house there was just poverty and real situations. What this movie really makes you think about is all the things that you really throw away without knowing it. These children would have saved even the bread crumbs instead of leaving them for the birds.

Rating:
Summary: A Movie for Everyone
Review: This wonderful, beautiful, and delighful movie, made in Iran, is a film that deserves to be seen by the whole family. My daughter and I are still talking about it three days after watching it.

It is a simple story, about a brother and sister, Ali and Zahra, who are forced to share a pair of shoes. These two children are wonderful actors, showing the characters' exquisite tenderness and loving-kindness toward each other. They do not fight with one another, and accept what is with absolute purity of spirit. They live in a home without rancor, although it is poor.

At one point, the film moves into the wealthy area of Tehran and the contrast between the lives lived there and the hand-to-mouth existence of Ali and Zahra's family is almost painful. But the children and their parents never whine or complain about their lives.

The footrace at the end, where Ali hopes to come in third in order to win new sneakers to give to his sister, offers us an exciting finish to this charming movie.

Rating:
Summary: If you can read this, see this movie!
Review: Children of Heaven takes place in an Iranian city. The film is in Persian with English subtitles.

A young boy, Ali, loses his sister Zahra's shoes but cannot tell his parents because they cannot afford new ones. Ali and his sister have to find a way for the two of them to use Ali's own sneakers.

This fabulous and funny movie is great for people of any age. Its wonderful story will delight both children and adults. Our whole family watched it together and we all agree it is among the best movies we have ever seen. You should definitely buy or rent it now or you will be missing the movie of a lifetime.

P.S. I am 14 years old so I can assure you that it is a great children's movie too.

Rating:
Summary: Enchanting tale about humanity's goodness
Review: This is the story of Ali, a young boy in Iran and his sister who's shoes he accidentally loses. Ali struggles along with his family in a poor neighorhood where footwear makes a difference. When his sister's shoes are lost, he must share his own sneakers. His sister is mortified that she has to wear her older brother's shoes, but learns to adapt. Ali's father strives to earn more money for his wife and children, and the scene in which he takes Ali with him to the wealthy neighborhoods offering their gardening services is especially poignant. This is a rich and beautiful tale featuring wonderful cinematography and exceptional direction. The conclusion of the film is charming, uplifting, and bittersweet. This film should be seen by all age groups!

Rating:
Summary: The best foreign movie
Review: i think this is the best foreign movie i ever seen which is really touched my heart coz the casts are really excellent.Congrats and hope u guys will produce more movies like this..