The Song of Sparrows 2009

In the serene environment of an ostrich farm located just outside Tehran, Karim resides in a modest home with his loving wife Narges and their three young children, striving each day to ensure their happiness. His daily routine is steeped in a gentle bliss as he attends to the farm alongside his family.

However, destiny takes a turn when Karim gets an urgent call to return home, prompted by his elder daughter Haniyeh’s misplacement of her hearing aid. Upon arriving at their humble dwelling, he discovers his son Hussein and a group of neighborhood kids embarked on a quest to find the lost device. Their search leads them to the family’s underground water cistern, which has sadly transformed into a murky, sludge-filled pit due to blockages. Though initially scolding his son and friends for their risky adventure, Karim soon joins them in their endeavor to search the depths of the cistern.

As they dive into the foul water in pursuit of the hearing aid, Hussein and his friends disclose their ambitious plan to clear the sludge and raise fish in hopes of striking it rich. Unconvinced by their scheme, Karim discourages their pursuits. Ultimately, they manage to retrace their steps and find the hearing aid, yet a further examination reveals its malfunctioning state. Anxiety grips Karim as he learns that the hospital requires a lengthy wait of four months for repairs, or the alternative of an immediate replacement in Tehran—an arduous endeavor considering Haniyeh’s impending exam.

As the days unfold, a growing sense of dread fills Karim’s existence. The repercussions from an ostrich that escapes at the farm weigh heavily on him, leading to his unjust dismissal and highlighting the ongoing financial burdens he faces. When confronted with the staggering cost of 350,000 tomans to repair Haniyeh’s hearing aid, he makes a desperate decision to exploit a case of mistaken identity—pretending to be a motorcycle taxi driver in the bustling urban landscape. Amidst the chaos of traffic, he becomes surrounded by a constant influx of people and their unique stories.

Despite his inherent kindness and initial honesty, the pressures of his new job pull at the fabric of Karim’s character, much to the sorrow of Narges and their daughters. They witness the gradual erosion of his morals as he grows increasingly obsessed with the discarded items he brings back from the city. What once began as a generous gesture evolves into a cluttered accumulation of junk, consuming his time and attention, leaving little space for addressing the urgent matter of Haniyeh’s hearing aid.

Just when it appears that Karim has hit rock bottom, tragedy strikes as he faces a catastrophic accident while trying to declutter the chaos. This harrowing event results in a broken leg and various injuries, leaving him bedridden and unable to work. In his absence, Hussein courageously steps up, taking on responsibilities to support their family.

In the midst of his father’s recovery, a touching moment of redemption occurs when Hussein and his friends successfully deliver fresh fish, only to see their hard work destroyed by an accident. Undeterred, Hussein selflessly releases the dying fish into the nearby waters—a poignant gesture that fills Karim’s heart with pride.

As Karim begins to mend, he receives uplifting news about the long-lost ostrich’s return from an old colleague, prompting a bittersweet visit to the farm. Tears cascade down his face as he reunites with the beloved creature, symbolizing the journey and tribulations that have led him back to this moment of healing and hope.