After a very long time I saw a movie that made me feel happy and thoughtful. This is a lovely Persian movie plotted between a sister and brother. Zaahra & Ali. They live with their parents who live with hand to mouth earnings...
Zaahra is looking forward for Ali to come back with the old pair of her shoes so that she can wear them to school tomorrow. Somehow Ali looses her shoes and comes back promising Zaahra he will find her shoes. He tells her not to bother her ill mother and tensed father as they have a crunch of money and plus he will get scoldings and beatings from them too. This scene is so beautifully pictured where Zaahra and Ali are arguing for old but very adored shoes completely cut off from a major tension of their sick mother and financial crunch. Even though they belong to a poor family these kids gave fair time and value to studies and kept their house so neat and clean.
Out of the argument Ali persuades Zaahra that they will swap his sneakers, she can wear them to school and then later in the noon he will wear them to his school. Although they come face to face to a lot many difficulties but still they managed. As Zaahra had to rush from school everytime so that Ali could get on time to school, she ran to change the sneakers half way and then Ali ran towards his school. He was caught by his headmaster and warned to be thrown out of school if he is late again.
Ali's father gets hold of some old gardening equipments. They both make a trip to the city to get some gardening assignments. Ali's father being a simpleton does not know how to approach people with his services...Ali helps him converse with the house owners and is able to get an assignment where they make handsome money. On their way back on their bicycle, Ali's father is very happy that he has made good money to buy his mother the refrigerator, some goodies for Zaahra. Ali especially mentiobs Zaahra needs new shoes. Just then they reach a road which is sloped down and the cycle looses its brakes. They both tumble down to the road..and then have to lift a ride back home.
Zaahra a small girl even though angry on Ali does not tell her parents about her much loved shoes. In the mean time Zaahra finds out her old shoes on one other class mates feet and soon becomes friends with her. Now Ali comes to part in his school where he learns that there is a race in his school and there are some intimidating prizes for the winners. Especially for the third place winner who will win a pair of sneakers. He pleads his Sports Master to register him and assures him that he will win the race. The Sports teacher to his amazement puts Ali on trial runs and finds out him to be quick runner. Ali very happy comes home to Zaahra to fill her up with the good news of the race. Zaahra is happy and also worried what if he does not come third then..?....Ali smiles and with full confidence assures Zaahra...he will win the sneakers for her.
I will not tell you the end of the story. You have to watch it for yourself.
Does Zaahra get her sneakers?.....Ali ..did he win the third place..?...Does Zaahra tell her parents ultimately and Ali gets a beating?....
Mere music and simplicity of the characters is really remarkable. The way they have made these children dress with just two to three sets of clothes, the way Ali's hair is dressed. The way Ali has respect for his elders and unlike the other kids of his age, he cares for his mothers illness and helps around the house. He knows he is a good athlete, his frinds keep on calling him to play football so that they win, but he refuses every time. He knows where to play his skill and hence argues with his Sports Teacher to let him run and win. The way he is shown to take care of his little sister and manipulate her anger for good...is beautifully depicted in this movie. In today's age children are crazy about gadgets, movies, amusement parks ...cartoons....the list can go on. I had seen another film like this .. "Tahaan"..where a small kid was madly in love with his Donkey and did everything and anything to get it back. That too was a lovely movie. If there was an Indian movie inspired...And I have facts that there is a movie coming up..I would like them to have the song...'Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka Sabka Kehna Hai..Ek Hazaaron mein meri Behnaa hai'....this song or background score incorporated in the movie.
All and all marvelous short movie.
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