Bacheha-Ye aseman (The Children of Heaven, Iran, 1997)

Another beautiful and touching story told through children. I assume it is safer and freer to make movies involving children than adults in Iran. I hope the previous sentences didn’t come out as patronizing. The children actors are very professional in this one. The move is heartwarming. It goes to the heart of self-sacrifice, love, loyalty theme. The story reveals a bit of it, but doesn’t give justice to the full emotions displayed: a brother loses his sister’s shoes and because they are poor, from then on they try to share one pair. It doesn’t last long. The most memorable moment for me was the disappointment on the boy’s face after he won a running competition, but he wanted a second place, because the price for that included a pair of new sneakers. While the whole world is cheering him he is on the verge of crying. So was I.