Ahmad's classmate has a bad rapport with teacher because he doesn't finish his homework and is given a 'last' warning. Ahmad by mistake take his notebook home as their notebooks look the same. Ahmad must return the notebook but unfortunately his friend lives a little far and he doesn't know his exact address.
It's a masterpiece. There is no doubt that the only other film, based on the psychology of children, which can be compared with this great film is 'Chilren of heaven'. Feel of the film is 'Bicycle thief' like which was again the main source behind 'Pather Panchali'. Story is very simple but it's amazingly complex. Its about the morality children have which elders are too grown up to own. While Ahmad has such compassion and concern for his friend, for rest of the world it's not even an issue. Ahmad gives a helping hand to his mother at home and so he has to really sneak out. Small details like Ahmad know his friend's father's occupation and so he tries to find people of that profession. In one scene he asks a lady if she knew about his friend and that lady asks him to stop for a while and comes down from her house and asks Ahmad to help him in some very weird work I don't remember. It's brilliant. Film is not made with a documentary touch; it's made with a fantastic film touch. It gives a fantastic view of roads and people in Iran. My favorite scene is when an elder uses the notebook for some scribbling and Ahmad watches it helplessly and disapprovingly. Classroom scenes are marvelous.
Acting wise it's unbelievable how an 8 years old boy has done such a terrific job. Abbas Kiarostami is definitely one of the top 5 directors of our times.10/10
It's a masterpiece. There is no doubt that the only other film, based on the psychology of children, which can be compared with this great film is 'Chilren of heaven'. Feel of the film is 'Bicycle thief' like which was again the main source behind 'Pather Panchali'. Story is very simple but it's amazingly complex. Its about the morality children have which elders are too grown up to own. While Ahmad has such compassion and concern for his friend, for rest of the world it's not even an issue. Ahmad gives a helping hand to his mother at home and so he has to really sneak out. Small details like Ahmad know his friend's father's occupation and so he tries to find people of that profession. In one scene he asks a lady if she knew about his friend and that lady asks him to stop for a while and comes down from her house and asks Ahmad to help him in some very weird work I don't remember. It's brilliant. Film is not made with a documentary touch; it's made with a fantastic film touch. It gives a fantastic view of roads and people in Iran. My favorite scene is when an elder uses the notebook for some scribbling and Ahmad watches it helplessly and disapprovingly. Classroom scenes are marvelous.
Acting wise it's unbelievable how an 8 years old boy has done such a terrific job. Abbas Kiarostami is definitely one of the top 5 directors of our times.10/10