I’ve seen very few Iranian films, yet I was intrigued by this one. The Song Of Sparrows tells the story of a poor Iranian father, played by Mohammed Amir Naji, who is desperately trying to raise money so that he may replace his daughter’s broken hearing aid. After losing his job at an Ostrich farm, he takes his motorcycle into the city of Teheran to try to get the hearing aid fixed. His daughter is a good scholar and she needs it to do well in school. While waiting at a stop light, a business man jumps on the back of his bike and orders him to take him down the street. Upon reaching the destination, the man gives him money, while the father sits there on his motorcycle in shock. He soon catches on that there is a booming business in the city for motorcycle taxis. Not knowing what to charge he tells his fares to give what they wish, but after a few days he quickly learns the ropes.
The father is so busy hustling for money in the city and bringing back trash to enhance his home, that he begins to lose touch with his family's real needs. When an accident forces him to slow down, he begins to realize that everyone in his family has dreams too and that each one contributes in their own way.
I really liked this film because it took me into a world and culture I know very little of. It was interesting to me to see how this Middle Eastern country is growing so quickly, that many of its citizens are being left behind. Thankfully, the father in this film, learns what really is important, family.
Iranian with English subtitles
Rating: Second Run A beautiful, culturally relevant film
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