We would like to analyze the movie “Children of Heaven” (1997) and more precisely the issues, raised in it (IMDb). This film, produced in Iran, is a very thoughtful picture, raising a lot of social and moral issues. If you look at the film from a philosophical point of view and if we dig deep enough, we will see that this movie is about the true moral values, about the sense of responsibility to the family, about a true self-dedication for the sake of the whole family. Here there are raised the questions that everyone, even the kids, must not be selfish by nature and that liability, generated by the circumstances, is also extremely significant for the development of human values. After all, everyone will try even more to overcome enormous difficulties, if he knows that he is in charge of someone else. Then, a person knows that his actions and diligence have influence not only on his fate. All of these human virtues and values are a part of topics, which the film “Children of Heaven”, directed by Majid Majidi is dedicated to.
In this film, all the arrows, all the emphasis are turned to the moral spiritual side, on aspects of human and family values. The boy is not only a good son, who helps parents, but also a reliable support for the sisters. The characters of “Children of Heaven” are the children, sent from above, like a gift to their parents. These children are full of light and all the noble that a person can have.
Characters are still very small children, but the poverty taught them prudence and awareness. They are responsible unlike the most people their age, and the most surprising is that they are spiritually mature. In proof of this, we will give an example of a scene, in which Zahra fights with the urge to tell the girl, who took by chance her shoes, that they really do belong to her. However, Zahra, unwittingly witnessed the passage of the life of the family of the girl, sympathizes and empathizes with her, so that she does not take her shoes back. She is aware of the responsibility that lies on her, aware of the consequences that might happen if she takes these shoes. Or, for example, we should note the scenes, where the children are taken to help their parents meekly both at home and at work, being aware of their responsibility. Or the fact, as day-to-day the brother and sister overcome the difficulty, but continue to support each other. They do not throw the naive idea of how to continue keeping in secret the loss of shoes, even if it brings a lot of troubles for both of them (Maslin).
The small movie characters are childishly naive, but with the responsibility of adults. We can say on our own behalf that a lot of adults do not have enough of their consciousness. The film characters are extremely idealized in order to accurately and fully display the true values, which every human being should possess. After all, this whole secret is not there because they are afraid of their father's anger. They just do not want to cause unnecessary waste of the costs of the family, which has already bogged down in debt. They do not want to upset the ailing mother and delay their recovery. With insane speed every morning, Zahra is in a hurry from school and Ali to school. They wear one pair for two and act as a team. For what is all of this? Just in order not to bring unnecessary trouble to their parents, who in turn take care of them. A sense of duty and guilty, responsibility to his sister, empathy to the sister give Ali unseen forces, opened a second wind in the competition. As supporters of the idealization of childhood, we have to admit that here the author has reached the very brink that Saint-Exupéry overcame in "The Little Prince". This is a film about the little things, which are the meaning of life; those little things that are not worth a couple of coins, but for which it is worth giving away everything in the world.
Family and family values – these are the two concepts that cannot exist without each other. Family values lose their meaning, unless there is a family. And the family is not able to exist without the basic principles that will preserve its integrity and spiritual health. Family values are the relation of a man to man, full of love and care. It is a responsibility for each other. Such a responsibility within the family is shown in the film “Children of Heaven”. Only the right values and the responsibility allow other people to move farther and farther away. Only it makes people look only forward, because everyone inside the circle (family) knows that there is always someone, who will support and insure you.
By the way, in the article “Cities and cinema”, Barbara Mennel clearly states that national traits are displayed in the films, produced in various countries (Mennel). Of course, the film “Children of Heaven” is not devoid of these features. The film serves human values, but we still witness some original Islamic traditions. The action takes place in Iran, a Muslim country and the voice of women in this culture means not so much. However, the men, despite the fact that they cannot ensure a normal life to their wives and children, as the father of the main characters of the film, have a very high status. Speaking of characters, both boys and girls go to school, the structure of which is not quite common in the eyes of Americans. Girls and boys are engaged in different classes, and, for example, in the physical education classes, the girls wear street clothes with the head covered, which is a reference to the Islamic religion.
The film demonstrated very difficult conditions, in which the main characters had to live, but in our opinion this is what spurred the children for mutual assistance and the formation of right thinking. They understood that without each other they will not do well, and all that they have is not the money, but just themselves. After all, when you have a support, there is someone to rely on, you better go through life, and it is easier to overcome difficulties. And even the inconveniences that caught the protagonists (the lost shoes), could not break this bond, but rather strengthened it. Difficulties temper, and correct family values along with responsibility not only to yourself but also to others goes to the next level.
“Children of Heaven” gets the viewer to understand that not everything in this world is bought and sold, there is something much more expensive than dollars, pounds or any other currency. What the protagonists, young children Ali and Zahra promoted throughout the movies is impossible to find on the street or in any store, it can be purchased in the course of life, when you think of the heart as worried for others more than for yourself. Ali was more worried not for the fact that his father would punish him for lost shoes. He knew that the situation will not change the fact that he finds out. There will be no new shoes, because the family budget does not allow it, but his father would get another reason to get a few gray hairs from the fact that his wife was very ill, and one of the children goes without shoes.
To date, the problem of family and human values is still on the agenda, so to speak. All the people have to realize that the constant pursuit of success, financial benefits, and all the other mundane necessary to provide a good life to the family are the right thing, but in the course of the constant chases and struggles we should not forget the most important thing that is actually important in this world. Do not forget that the family can be prosperous and does not feel any need from the financial side, but when there is no sense of confidence in each other, it is fraught with unhappy life for everyone. Even if Zahra and Ali experienced hardships of life in deprived areas, but they have gained a lot more. They acquired the right family values, understanding that for each other they were like a stone wall, felt the sense of responsibility for their neighbor as for themselves. All of these lessons have not just helped them in making decisions in the future life. This is the right lessons, which are now required for all children in the world, as globalization expands the thinking of everyone, sometimes throws families on different continents, but people have to realize, as Ali and Zahra that wherever they were their family will always help them.
Works cited
IMDb,. "Children Of Heaven (1997)". N.p., 2016. Web. 7 Feb. 2016.
Maslin, Janet. "Movie Review - The Children Of Heaven - FILM REVIEW; For A Pair Of Sneakers, Longing, Lies And A Plan - Nytimes.Com". Nytimes.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 7 Feb. 2016.
Mennel, Barbara Caroline. Cities And Cinema. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2008. Print.
