The Children of Heaven

"The Children of Heaven" is a screenplay written by Majid Majidi, the famous Iranian movie director for his award winning movie of the same name. It is a tale of the hardships of Ali and Zahra, an extremely poor brother and sister who have to share on pair of sneakers as part of their school uniform because they cannot afford a new pair of shoes. Ali is desperately trying to find a way to buy a pair of shoes for Zahra. The following is the remaining of the text.

Elementary school corridor

The kids are running down the stairs (the school day is over). Ali can be seen among them. The PE (physical education) coach is attaching a flyer to the school board. On the flyer is a list of schoolboys who have been picked to go to run the grand track. The kids gather around the flyer to read the names. Ali peeks at the flier too. Children's voices are heard asking the coach many questions all at once:
-But sir! My name isn’t there!
-My name either!
- but I ran so well!
-coach (aggressively) what did you expect? Each school can only have five or six candidates. I hope you get picked for a future match.
The camera moves back to the flyer. On top there is a list of awards:
1st place: Gold medal, gold cup, a pair of sweats and a two week holiday at Ramsar Camp
2nd place: Silver medal, silver cup, a set of writing supplies, and a two week holiday at Ramsar Camp
3rd place: Bronze medal, bronze cup, a pair of sneakers and a one week holiday at Ramsar camp
Ali's eyes were instantly fixed on the third award. He looks deep in thought. Then a look of resolution comes to his face as if he has just made a great decision. He runs to the teacher's office. The coach is alone at the room, writing something.
-Ali: may I, sir?
-coach: (still writing) come in
Ali walks up to his desk and stands in front of him.
-coach: (still writing) what is it?
-Ali: sir...I want to run the race!
-coach: were you asleep somewhere when I called for candidates? (Ignoring Ali, he gathers his papers and takes them up to a big file on a shelf behind him)
-Ali: but sir! I really want to run the race
-coach: It doesn't matter what you want to do boy. You had to take the test and now it's too late. I already announced those names, or did you not notice?
(He moves to the other side of the office, picking up some balls from a table, storing them in a closet. Ali is following him all the while)
-Ali: (pleadingly) sir please I really must!
-coach (extremely angry now) you're such a rude boy! It can't happen! Go away right now
(He returns to arranging things in the closet. Ali starts crying)
-Ali: (sobbing) sir please I beg you.... let me run the race please...I swear I'll win I promise.... I'll reach first place just please let me do this...please
Ali's sobs and continuous pleading apparently softens the coach and he falls in deep thought. He finally agrees to let Ali take the entrance test.

School court yard

Andy is running very fast around the field while the coach watches him with disbelief. He runs across the field several times. The coach is very happy. He writes Ali's name in his notebook.

Outside Ali's home

Ali runs in looking very happy and goes straight to the little pool in the middle of the yard. His sister Zahra is washing some pots by the pool. Ali goes and sits by her.
Ali- (panting) I have great news Zahra!
Zahra- (eager to know) what's going on?
Ali- (panting) I was chosen for the race!
Zahra- (confused) what race?
Ali- The running race! It's the day after tomorrow. They give the third person a pair of brand-new sneakers.
Zahra- (confused) but why do they give it to the third person?
Ali- they have set other prizes for the first and the second winner. (Looks kindly at his sister)
Ali- if I make it to third-place I will give you the shoes!
-Zahra (disappointed) but they are boy's shoes!
-Ali- (encouragingly) that's not a problem! The shoes are brand-new, I can go and change them and buy you a pair of girl's shoes.
-Zahra: (now worried) but what if you don't make it to third place?
-Ali: I will! I know I will, I promise.
Zahra smiles at him and it makes him even happier. He opens the garden hose, drinks some water, and then he points the flowing water towards the gold fish in the pool, as if to share his happiness with them.

Running track

A huge crowd of students and their parents and the race officials are gathered around a big field beside an immense running track that goes around a pond in the middle of a beautiful green park. Boys are seen warming up for the race. Ali and five other boys are sitting in an old blue van that is coming towards the camera. The coach steps out of the driver's seat, accompanied by the vice-principal.
VP- (talking to the coach) come on! Hurry up, we're already late!
The vice-principle hurries to the admissions table and hails the coach and the boys again.

Coach- come on, get off! Now!

Ali hurries off the van along with the other boys. The coach takes out several pale blue sport shirts of a dirty sack and hands one to each boy. The boys quickly change into the new shirts. Ali is watching his surroundings with wonder. Some families are seen taking pictures with their child while others are helping their child to put on their stickers. In a corner some mothers are forcing their boys to drink some juice. A woman is seen filming her son in a home movie camera. Ali is completely mesmerized by all this. The coach shakes him by the arm to get his attention.
Coach: hey! What are you waiting for? Hurry! Get dressed!
Ali changed into the sport shirt. He ties his shoes firmly (he is wearing very old and dirty sneakers) and moves on to the racing track with the other boys. A mass of boys are seen gathered behind a line in the beginning of the track. Some reporters are busy taking pictures. The judge mounts a stool, holding a microphone and talking to the crowd.
Judge: attention please dear students, the track is 5 kilometers long and it ends when you circle the bridge. Please make sure to keep a safe distance from each other, don't push or shove or you'll be out of the game. Keep in mind that a positive attitude and being an honorable sportsman is as important as a gold medal. I wish you all good luck. Now on my mark, one, two...
He raises a pistol to the air and shoots to mark three and the beginning of the race. Ali is seen among the other boys and he starts running with everybody else. It seems that among this immense number of boys, his chances of winning are very slim. The camera zooms to Ali's face and although he looks worried there is also a look of determination on his face.
The kids are running quite furiously. Some fall down or are knocked off course when trying to get ahead of others. Some get so tired after a few hundred meters that they go out of breath and stop running, but they don't look sad or disappointed at all, as though the only reason they took part in the race was to have some fun. As the race goes on, the number of boys slowly decreases. Only about a hundred boys are now in the lead and Ali can be spotted among them. The race is nearing the end as the kids are getting close to the lake which is the end of the track. The boys are trying very hard to pass each other and get the lead. About 30 of the boys are now in the lead and the rest are struggling to reach them. Ali is struggling to keep up but he looks extremely tired. One minute he is seen in the very lead but because of being so tired he then falls behind and it looks as though he is going to be among the last to finish the race. It seems utterly hopeless.

Sidewalk (In Ali's mind)

Zahra is running very fast, completely out of breath, wearing her school uniform.

The track

When thinking of Zahra's struggle it is as though his legs find renewed energy. He passes some boys but then again he feels extremely tired.

Sidewalk (In Ali's mind)

Zahra is running very fast and out of breath.

The track

Ali falls behind again, but he keeps thinking of Zahra and pushes forward. Thinking of making her happy gives strength to his shaking legs. He passes a few boys. The number of boys in the lead is gradually decreasing and there are about 10 people now running for the end of the race. It seems that these people are now his most important rivals. No matter how hard he tries it looks as though he cannot pass them. With his best effort he can only remain among those in the lead. This time he remembers Zahra's voice:
Zahra: but what if you don't make it to third place?
He runs faster.
Zahra: but those are boy's shoes!
He just forward and passes three more boys.
Zahra: I really can't ever wear these shoes again!
Ali reaches the few in the very lead. Beads of sweat are covering his face and he looks extremely tired.
Zahra: but these shoes are too big for me! They will fall right out of my feet...
Ali runs so fast that he passes everyone. But he can be seen in front of him.
Zahra: but what if you don't make it to third place?
-Ali: I will! I know I will, I promise.
While still running he turns his head back and looks at the other contestants. He slows down slightly to let those behind him to take the lead. One boy manages to pass him, and then Ali slows down even more to that another boy passes him as well. He is now securely in the third-place but he feels another boy very closely behind him so he does all he can to keep his place. There is very little distance left to the finish line.
Time passes very slowly for Ali. He is still in the third-place. The boy directly behind him is trying to pass him, but he can't so he pushes him aside and manages to go forward. While Ali is knocked to the ground two more boys passed him by. The exasperated and worried look on Ali's face gives us the impression that there is no longer any hope but incredibly he gets up and uses the very last ounce of strength in his legs to continue running. He runs so quickly that he passes the two boys that had passed him while he was down. He gets nearer and nearer to the three leading boys. They are almost at the finish line so the crowd is cheering and they can see the flag at the end of the track. He pushes forward and he is now almost shoulder to shoulder with the three leading boys. The four of them are now so close that it is difficult to see who has the lead. They are now almost at the last few feet of the track accompanied by the crowd's extremely enthusiastic cheer. Finally all the four boys reach the finish line almost simultaneously, break the ribbon and full so Sibley to the ground. Nobody still knows who has been the first to cross the finish line. The crowd runs towards them. The coach and the vice-principle reach Ali with broad smiles and hug him kindly. Ali tired and completely out of breath looks anxiously at the coach and asks:
Ali: (panting) sir...sir... Did I make third place?
The coach: (excitedly, very happy) third place? My dear boy, you made the first place! The first!
Ali is shocked. The coach lifts him up and sits him on his shoulders while the reporters and cameramen run towards them. Allie looks like every hope is lost. His attention is focused to the table which is holding the prizes on which lie a pair of brand-new sneakers. The longing for those shoes is evident on his face. The officials in charge of the race get ready to present the awards. While the second and third place winners are crying bitterly because of not being able to reach first place, he keeps his eyes fixed on the sneakers. Everybody claps for him and he is led to stand beside the judge who gives him the gold medal and announces him as the champion of the race. Everyone is cheering loudly but he has almost no reaction because he is still secretly eyeing the shoes that he feels he has lost. The judge hand him the golden cup but before he even touches it, the vice-principle raises the cup and smiles for the cameras.
The photographer wants to take Ali's portrait.
Photographer: please, could everybody step aside a moment so I can take the champion's picture alone?
Everyone scatters around and Ali and alone. The photographer prepares to take the portrait. He is looking down.
Photographer: come on big boy look up for the camera!
Ali slowly raises his head and looks at the camera. He looks extremely sad and the tears are welling up at his eyes.

At the market, in front of a grocery store

Ali's dad is coming out of a small shop holding a bag of black tea walking to his old bicycle which he has parked by the store. He carefully packed the bag of tea in the basket attached to his bicycle. Some other stuff can be seen in the basket: some colorful new flowery fabric loosely packed up in newspaper, in the two books of sweets, two loaves of bread, and two small boxes, from the corners of which we can see two pairs of shoes; one pair for a girl and another for a boy. Ali's father mounts the bicycle and heads towards home.

The outside of Ali's house

Zahra is again by the small pool washing a baby's bottle. She hears the door open and looks excitedly towards it. Moments later Ali appears, looks at Zahra and completely freezes for a second, and looks down in shame. Zahra, who was at first very happy and excited that his arrival now looks as gloomy as he does. Ali cannot take her innocent look and her immense sadness, so he sighs deeply and looks into his hands shamefully. The baby's cry is heard so after looking hesitantly at his direction for a moment, she runs towards the house.
Ali watches her leave with sad eyes and then slowly moves toward the little pool. He drinks from the tap and then sits down to take off his shoes. His shoes are now reduced to shreds of plastic; he throws them away and patiently and takes off his socks, his face showing signs of great pain. The camera zooms to his feet which are covered with blisters and dried blood. He lowers his tire to feed into the pool. The cold water comes up his nerves and he manages to relax.
We see Ali's feet under the water; they are so white that it looks as though they are emanating a sort of pure white light. The group of goldfish in the pool comes towards his feet circle them a few times, and then they kiss his feet.
The End