This film is also a good example of how knowing a bit about the culture can help you appreciate an international film much more. A lot of people I know who watch Children of Paradise hate the ending because they say it is anti-climatic. But, the end means more when you consider the Iranian traditions surrounding gold fish:
"Nowrooz, or “new day,” is a highlight of the year marked by spring cleaning, visiting friends and family, and setting a table with seven symbols of life, health and beauty. These include candles, colored eggs and goldfish in a bowl, which are considered a symbol of a happy life" (http://www.jpost.com/Features/Front-Lines/Goldfish-endangered-as-Iran-marks-New-Year)
Another interesting but mostly unrelated little fact: the article I quoted above advocates for Iranians to stop using goldfish in their New Years traditions because it results in the death of so many fish.
Anyway, for this response, please answer two of the following questions:
- This film is definitely quiet. Did you ever have trouble getting into it for that reason? If so, at what parts? Which parts were the most engaging? Why?
- What did you learn about Iran by watching this film? What questions about Iran did this film raise for you?
- How would this film be different if it were produced in Hollywood?
- What do you feel are this film's strongest qualities? What are its greatest weaknesses? Please explain your answer in great detail.
What I learned about Iran from this is that a large percentage of the population is living in poverty. As it showed that family couldn't even afford to by new shoes. This film also showed me about the role children play in their homes and the respect that they show adults. The children from Iran show much more respect than you see from american children. This film also showed how their education is highly important to them. Their education means a lot and kind of makes it seem like we take our education for granted.
ReplyDeleteI feel like this movie wouldn't have been as good if it was made in Hollywood. Like if it was then a lot of it would have had a different, not so real feel to it. I don't think that if it was made in Hollywood that it would have had the same message from it and it wouldn't have the same kind of impact. Also the ending wouldn't have been as symbolic. Because in american films most of our films have a full ending that shows us how exactly it ends but in this film it didn't but it left all the hints there as to how it goes over. I felt like this film was just kind of over. Where as if it was made in Hollywood then it wouldn't have done that, but honestly i didn't mind how the ending was.
I learned about Iran from this movie is that; the most obvious parts are that Iran is mainly a moderately country except for the city of Tehran, well majority of it. Fun Fact* that Tehran has over 22 districts such as Northern Tehran which is among one of the more wealthy districts. Another thing was that they took their jobs seriously, like crushing sugar was a sacred profession. One thing I did wonder was who were those elderly couple living next door to Ali and his family. Were they family? Because they seemed to be really good to each other.
ReplyDeleteThe strongest quality I felt this movie had, was the running scene. It symbolized so much to me with the in-between shots of him running and his sister running at the same time. Near the beginning though personally didn't feel real to me, when Ali was looking for the shoes in front of the store. The shots just didn't do it for me, but got better as the movie progressed.
I thought it was kinda crazy with the film advancements in this movie cause it had seem to me that this from the 80's perhaps even the 70's then I saw a portable cell phone ad and was like "OH".
For me, i didn't have troubles getting into the film at all. The film got me caught my attention right from the very beginning where Ali lost his sister's shoes at the market place. That got me thinking what is going to happen next throughout the entire film. Parts that were most engaging was his struggles going through school for me. Like Ali would get trouble because of his sister being late after school is over for her to switch shoes that they were sharing. Which was engaging because i always wonder what will happen next and will he will come out positive out of all of this.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing i want to add is about the whole entire family. At the beginning it seemed to me that they were all not really together. You would see them stressed out or having a not so really happy conversation. Towards the end i felt that the family was starting to get things back together. Things that show this for example was when Ali was creating this Father and Son bond when they were looking for a gardening job which was touching.
Things that i have learned after watching this film was that education is very important thing for children. I also noticed that boys and girls were separated in schools, I wonder that if only this specific school only does this? Or Iran as whole do this system, and if so do they do this throughout high school or just elementary school for kids? I also wonder why the children couldn't wear slippers they would wear at home to school. Maybe its against the dress code or maybe even something else that influence this.
I underestimated Children of Heaven. Even though I was warned, I found the first half hour extremely beautiful, but boring. But, eventually I shrugged off as a temporary need for excitement. Once I put the false need for excitement, I was instantly struck by the awesome epic-ness that is neo-realism. It made me really marvel at the fact that every shop-keeper was really a shop-keeper, and every shoe-maker was really a shoe-maker. It's really marvelous and awesome stuff. Nevertheless, the introduction definitely set the tone for this amazing movie.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that it was quiet was actually for me one of the most endearing parts of this movie. It really helps immerse you in the Iran setting. It also helps with the absolutely amazing soundtrack. The music doesn't cue often, but when it does it's beautiful. My favorite scene in the movie was near the end, when the movie went into slow motion during the race. The guitar (or string instrument) that played during the segment almost made my jaw drop. It really felt like the entire world was on the edge of it's seat during that moment, myself included. In my opinion, the music was actually one of the best parts of the movie.
I honestly don't have much to say about the other questions, but I think I can answer the second one. To me, if this movie were produced in Hollywood, or with a different director, I feel like it would probably ruin the whole thing. Instead of it being a near-perfect and simple movie about a brother and sister trying to live happily in Iran, and trying their hardest to find a pair of shoes, it would turn into an art-house film about the corruption and adventure a child could have in Iran, and that's very bad. One of the best parts about the film is that it really is a simple look into someone else's world. It's about youth, family, dreams, goals, accomplishments, and in my opinion it pulls it all of with simple perfection, something I really don't think Hollywood could pull off.
But, all in all, I do think this film would definitely make it among my favorite foreign films, and along Om Shanti Om, I would purchase it on Blu-Ray.
That good.
For me didn't have trouble getting into the movie at all. The film made me think iran does not have a lot and I understood what was going on in the movie after I googled I ran they are really poor people and it makes me sad that we are fighting with them . I think the movie would have sucked a lot because it would not have the quality type and it would be fake people speaking Persian and it woul bethe worlds worst Hollywood film of all time
ReplyDelete