How many ever times I watch Majid Majidi's Children of Heaven, there's always something new that provokes thought. Today, in what was possibly my fourth screening, I focussed on Zahra, the little girl with an angelic smile and a wonderfully-expressive face.
Through her, Majidi shows us how several poor children are forced to grow up in a hurry - washing dishes, baby-sitting the new-born, assisting in the kitchen - but continue to retain a large part of their innocence.
Zahra, a six year old, leads the life of a working professional - attending school in the morning and handling household chores for the rest of the day. There isn't a single shot of her playing with her friends or being pampered, activities that are a norm in more privileged six-year-olds' lives.
Yet there's a unsullied innocence about her, the kind that hasn't succumbed to the cynicism and world-weariness - traits that a 35-year old with her background, schedule and challenges would have been expected to have.
Zahra shows us the kinds of challenges that many children face - we understand how the frustration of losing a shoe can really mess with daily rhythms. We understand that poor children can take nothing for granted and yet, deep down, they cannot afford to give up hope.
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