The Song of Sparrows: Honesty pays!

Here is yet another brilliant rendition of Iranian new wave by the master Iranian director, Majid Majidi. It is a typical Iranian film, sensitive with its ordinary life portrayal of a poor family. The father Karim, played intensely by Reza Naji, struggles hard to make ends meet. In the bargain, though, he loses his job in the ostrich farm, as an ostrich escapes from his care. Further, he also fractures his leg in a freak accident. However, what keeps him going and what, perhaps, helps him face life as it is, is his never compromising honesty and his deep love for his family and children. He is unsophisticated; but Karim can strike a deep chord. He reminds us of Ricci of De Sica’s Bicycle Thief. However, the only difference is that while Ricci is driven to sin in the face of helplessness, Karim fights helplessness with determination and hope.

Director: Majid Majidi

Film Clip

Majidi, as usual, gives masterly touch to this film as well. The journey motif that is a characteristic feature of most of Iranian films is predominant in this film too, where we see Karim journeying physically and metaphorically into places and circumstances which he would otherwise not have intended. Some of the shots in the film are just breathtaking. For example the splatter of fish in the tub as it is dropped by the children; or another shot of Karim carrying a door in the vastness of a field. This sensitive film will go a long way in re affirming the beauty that life is. 

- Melwyn Pinto SJ