Modern cities face numerous difficult problems and troublesome issues. The saddest of them are poverty, poor environment and many more. In the following paper I have my purpose to discuss the urban planning issue of family values, ties and social network in the movie “Children of Heaven” by Majid Majidi. The way family copes with the rising problems shows that strong family ties and good relationships may help to overcome the most difficult troubles of urban life and even become really successful people.
The movie tells about the family values of a poor Iranian family. The main protagonists are brother and sister called Ali and Zahra. The film conflict is developing around the loose of the only pair of the sister’s shoes by Ali. Thus the girl has nothing to put on to go to school. This situation is a real test for their family bonds. The children understand they can expect no help from anywhere: their father gets small salary and their mother is very sick. So they decide to cope with this situation using their own recourses.
As the audience passes through a row of sad events shown in the movie it becomes clear that children have strong will and this leads them to success in their family relations and in surviving poverty. Zahra fights her bitterness; she is loyal to her brother Ali and does not reveal the secret of losing her shoes to the parents. She fights difficult situations from day to day. Ali is moved by his sister steadfastness and loyalty. He wants to help her to have new pair of shoes by all means possible. His gratitude for his sister’s loyalty motivates him to go through a row of serious tests. He helps his father to earn some extra money during weekend. When he learns about the opportunity to win the prize of pair of trainers for the third place at the championship of runners, he does his best to beg the teacher to let him to participate in the competition. Having no special uniform, footwear, training, he only thinks about his sister’s devotion. In this mental disposition he keeps on running, running and running. He is only concentrated on winning the third place. However, he is very disappointed to win the first place. On his return home Zahra meets him with hope. Her loyalty and devotion is shown in her eyes. When she sees Ali has no trainers she is frustrated. However, this is the point when the children’s father makes his contribution – he has bought new pair of nice pink shoes. The movie also shows a row of positive personalities who make their due contribution to the improving of the life of Ali and Zahra. Along with their father and mother who loyally work to support the family and do their best in their places, there many more kind people. Among them are the neighbors who help Zahra to catch the lost canvas shoe, the teacher who recommends Ali as a good pupil for the headmaster and asks to show mercy to him, the rich child who helps Ali and his father “to get the contract” for gardener works and the girl who supports Zahra to continue to be positive giving her the lost pen.
In conclusion, it is evident in the film the way family values and kind human relationships are vital in surviving the problem of modern urban life. There are many poor people in cities. However, those who have strong family ties and kind to others will be able to manage to overcome them and the experience of Ali and Zahra’s family reveals this important truth.