Children of Heaven

'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.

The original title of the film is Bacheha-Ye aseman.

There honestly is nothing to remark on the way this is shot. It flows incredibly naturally and there's not a single shot that is wasted. It has the perfect runtime and the story beats are on point.

The two child actors, combined with the solid filmmaking makes this a movie that works really well. With a simple, but poignant story of family, it shows you the experience through the eyes of the children and how they deal with their own problems and what they find important.

Especially Ali is a very soulful character, putting his sister in the first place even if it means he has to suffer the consequences of those actions. Really delightful.

a very touching story, great time watching it 8/10

“You’re not a kid anymore, you’re nine!”

Lol. Anyway, this proves that you don’t always need high stakes or an antagonist to make a decent movie. It will not blow your socks off, but it’s short and sweet. And that’s fine by me. What else do you expect from a movie about lost sneakers?

The film’s simplicity is its greatest strength. Without flashy effects or over-the-top drama, it draws you in with genuine emotion, natural performances, and scenes that stay with you long after credits. A masterpiece.

SPOILER : The moment he crosses the finish line first, the joy of victory quickly turns into silent heartbreak. The tears in his eyes say it all—he’s won the race, but lost the one thing he truly wanted.