When I repeatedly passed this film at the local library, I completely ignored it because it looked rather dull and I must admit I had a prejudice against Iranian films. I incorrectly assumed that the movie would somehow be anti-Western or full of Islamic anger. Boy, I am VERY glad I was wrong. In addition to watching this film, I watched a prior film by the same marvelous director (Children of Heaven) and found them both to be absolute joys.
PART of the reason I think I enjoyed the film so much could be the subject matter since it hits so close to home. The lead is a very lovable child named Muhammad who has been dumped into a school for blind children and his very selfish father wants to leave him there--even during the summer break. I have a deaf daughter and know of MANY kids in deaf residential programs with similar families, so it REALLY hit close to home.
So, about the film. What did I like? Pretty much EVERYTHING--the writing, the wonderful acting by REAL people (like the Italian Neo-Realistic films of DeSica), the exquisite cinematography and the sense of growth and change within the characters WITHOUT being unrealistic or over-the-top. This film will almost certainly make you cry as there are some incredibly sad and heart-rending moments BUT bear with it--you will be amply rewarded if you watch it to the very end.
A fantastic, marvelous and wonderful film from a reviewer who is usually a bit of a cynic and RARELY rates anything this high!
PART of the reason I think I enjoyed the film so much could be the subject matter since it hits so close to home. The lead is a very lovable child named Muhammad who has been dumped into a school for blind children and his very selfish father wants to leave him there--even during the summer break. I have a deaf daughter and know of MANY kids in deaf residential programs with similar families, so it REALLY hit close to home.
So, about the film. What did I like? Pretty much EVERYTHING--the writing, the wonderful acting by REAL people (like the Italian Neo-Realistic films of DeSica), the exquisite cinematography and the sense of growth and change within the characters WITHOUT being unrealistic or over-the-top. This film will almost certainly make you cry as there are some incredibly sad and heart-rending moments BUT bear with it--you will be amply rewarded if you watch it to the very end.
A fantastic, marvelous and wonderful film from a reviewer who is usually a bit of a cynic and RARELY rates anything this high!