In this gentle Iranian comedy an ostrich-wrangler is tempted by easy pickings in the city. Best Actor, Berlin Film Festival 2008. "Will raise plenty of charmed smiles." — Screendaily
A briskly likeable comedy... the film will raise plenty of charmed smiles.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2008
The Song of Sparrows 2008
Avaze gonjeshk-ha
"Majid Majidi, whose wonderful The Children of Heaven remains the only Academy Award-nominated Iranian film, returns in terrific form with this gentle, funny film about Karim (Reza Naji won Best Actor at Berlin), an ostrich-wrangler who loses his job at a rural ranch after one of the birds escapes. On a mission to Tehran to replace his daughter's broken hearing aid, he is mistaken for a motorcycle courier and discovers a way to make fast cash. As the metropolis feeds his hunger for money, so his moral order begins to unravel and conflict arises in his previously happy family. Beautiful to watch, with a fine eye for the charm of childhood (Karim's children are particularly spirited), Majidi's delicate, occasionally slapstick, dance between sentiment and social observation is perfectly honed." — Clare Stewart, Sydney Film Festival.