Children of Heaven

Ali is a nine-year-old boy who bears the weight of his family’s poverty with resourcefulness and quiet courage. He engineers a plan to share Zahra’s shoes between morning and afternoon, hoping to keep her world intact. His school life briefly shines when he excels on a test, illustrating his capable, determined nature.

Zahra is Ali’s six-year-old sister who endures loss with a fierce, protective love. She agrees to the shoes arrangement and navigates her school day with a mix of hope and fear. Her empathy toward Roya’s situation reveals a deep sensitivity to injustice and family bonds.

The father remains hopeful and hardworking, taking risks to provide for his children. His bicycle accident becomes a setback, but his optimism endures as he searches for steady work with Ali in North Tehran. He embodies both perseverance and the strain of poverty.

The mother is ill and financially strained, five months behind on rent. She relies on her family and keeps the household together while carrying the weight of medical and living costs. Her quiet vulnerability anchors the siblings’ sense of responsibility.

The teacher is observant and compassionate, recognizing Ali’s tears and advocating for him. This character embodies a beacon of empathy and fairness, granting Ali a second chance in class. Their small act of kindness highlights the school’s role as a space of support.

Roya is a fellow student whose family reveals stark contrast: she has violet shoes while Zahra’s pink ones disappear. Her life, shaped by a blind father, helps illustrate how luck and circumstance shape children’s futures. The encounter fuels Zahra’s awareness of inequality.

Alireza is a six-year-old boy living with his generous grandfather in a wealthy setting, offering the family a glimpse of different possibilities. The encounter with his world shows moments of warmth that hint at a different life attainable through kindness and opportunity.