Children of Heaven

As the sun sets over the impoverished South Tehran neighborhood where Ali and his family reside, a sense of desperation hangs in the air like a perpetual cloud. Nine-year-old Ali, already burdened by the weight of responsibility, makes a fateful decision to fetch his six-year-old sister Zahra's beloved pink shoes from the cobbler, only to have them pilfered by an unsuspecting homeless man amidst the vegetable crates. Panicked, Ali inadvertently sets off a chain reaction when he knocks over the display in his frantic search for the lost footwear, earning him a stern warning from the grocer.

Meanwhile, Ali's family struggles to make ends meet, with their landlord breathing down their necks and the grocer refusing to accept payment. As tensions rise at home, Ali confides in Zahra about the shoes, begging her not to tell their mother about the mishap. His sister agrees to keep the secret, but as they work on their homework that night, the siblings devise a plan to cope with their financial woes by sharing Ali's prized Converse sneakers.

As the days unfold, Ali's scheme takes shape, with Zahra donning his shoes for school and returning them to him at midday. However, this arrangement proves to be a logistical nightmare, causing Ali to arrive late three times in succession, earning him stern warnings from the principal. It takes the intervention of his teacher, who notices Ali's tears and persuades the principal to give him one final chance.

The crisis unfolds further when Zahra discovers her missing pink shoes on another student, Roya's, feet. Without hesitation, she enlists Ali in a stealthy investigation, following Roya home after class. But their confrontation is short-lived, as they discover that Roya's father is blind and decide to abandon their plan. Little do they know, Roya will later excel in her studies, earning the reward of new violet shoes at the expense of Zahra's own treasured footwear. The revelation leaves Zahra crestfallen, her heart heavy with disappointment.

As Ali's father, fueled by the desire to provide for his family, ventures into the affluent suburbs of North Tehran with his son in tow, they embark on a series of futile attempts to secure gardening work. Despite their struggles, Ali proves to be an invaluable asset to his tongue-tied father, who is often left speechless by the challenges they face. It is during one such failed endeavor that they stumble upon a grand mansion, where they meet Alireza, a six-year-old boy being cared for by his grandfather. While the elder works, Ali and Alireza form an instant connection, their playful camaraderie a much-needed respite from the hardships they've faced.

As the day draws to a close, Ali's father is overjoyed by the generosity of Alireza's grandfather, whose kindness has left them feeling uplifted. However, their elation is short-lived, as disaster strikes when the brakes on their bicycle fail, leaving the father injured in the subsequent crash.

Meanwhile, Ali's focus shifts to a prestigious 4-kilometer footrace, which promises not only a chance at victory but also the coveted prize of a week-long stay at a vacation camp and a pair of shiny new sneakers. With his sights set on winning, Ali sees this as an opportunity to earn a new pair of shoes for his sister Zahra. Though he ultimately finds himself standing atop the podium, his bitter disappointment stems from the realization that his first-place finish has come at a great personal cost.

Upon returning home, Ali is met with his anxious sister, who is soon called away by their mother. In a poignant parallel, a brief shot of their father's bicycle reveals a pair of white and pink shoes among his recent purchases, a subtle reminder of the sacrifices he makes for his family.

As the film concludes, Ali is shown wading into a pool, his blistered feet exposed, a powerful symbol of his emotional exhaustion. This somber note serves as a stark contrast to the hope and optimism that had characterized their earlier struggles, leaving viewers with a profound sense of empathy for this young protagonist.