The Color of Paradise

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Audience Member Definitely a must-see - an experience beyond words through the eyes (and heart) of a blind boy Iranian writer-director Majid Majidi, who gave us "Children of Heaven" (U. S. 1999), returns with yet another powerful film, "Color of Paradise" (U. S. 2000). This time, the storyline may seem straightforward but it's layered with emotions enduringly strong, fulfilled by fantastic actors. So much is told simply on their faces: be it joy, sadness, gut wrenching dilemma or misery, wistful bewilderment, and all the nuances of a blind boy's facial expressions (from Mohsen Ramezani as Mohammad.) The cinematography also captured the beauty of the Iranian countryside landscape - its hills, forests, fields, greens and colorful flowers. As the film opens, we are given a sense of being in the dark - black blank screens with only subtitles to the voices we heareventually we see some cassettes and a crowd of youngsters around a man (their teacher)we are at a school for the blind children in Tehran. Besides the various Iranian traditions and livelihood in the villages beyond the city of Tehran, we get to appreciate the language of nature as Mohammad hears it through the rippling sound of river rapids, constant repeats of birds chirping a-calling in the forest, leaves rustling in the wind. Truly, the color of paradise eludes not to an innocent blind boy. But Mohammad's father (played by Hossein Mahjoub), who wanted to shed this burden of a blind son so he can be married again, is in such a rut - feeling so miserable, he's blind and numb to it all. Mohammad's grandmother (wonderfully portrayed by Salime Feizi) is the soul and bond that ties the family together. She loves her grandson dearly and maintains a kindred connection with Mohammad. Through her we felt the glimmer of hope that her son could eventually come to his senses and face life/reality head on to appreciate the existence of his (blind) son. I can appreciate the magically indescribable bond between the grandmother and the grandchild as I recall my dearly departed grandmother. In 90 minutes, the film is gem-packed with many levels of poignant sensitivity. Director and cinematographer collaborated in presenting poetic moments enhanced by the lyrical film score. The simple act of feeding the chickens: the happiness of being together glows on the faces of Granny, Mohammad and his two sisters, with feathers flying, petals gliding. The three children running in the vast fields with the colorful flowers all around (just like the film's poster), such joy is echoed in their laughter. What a gripping, emotional ending sequence - awe is the word, literally speechless. (I did wish the camera held one second longer before the credits roll.) Majid Majidi is a rare gemstone of a filmmaker from Iranian cinema - a man of substance and role model. Again he shows us somehow there is always a glimmer of light, that there are gods out there who will bestow hope. Experience this "Color of Paradise" journey. Check out "Children of Heaven" if you haven't seen it. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Best film ever made nothing beats this film, NOTHING! This film should be release again so that the whole world knows about it again.Its the finest in all aspect and no doubt the masterpiece. This generation dumb millennials should watch such film. 2019 and still its my no 1 favrt film ever. 20yrs and still cry everyday for this film 😪😭 Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member It's a touching, emotional movie, exploring the difficulties of existence for a blind boy and his loved ones. I would affirm that thats the kind of films that one should watch when philosophical and existentialist questions arrive at life. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member 5/5 Ratings for The Color of Paradise F: 87% R: 13% Family Adventure Drama Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/25/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the most known films of Iran with several awards and nominations. Majid Majidi serves us a really solid story here as we follow a blind kid and his father. His father is not too proud, the kid is bright and have some healthy interests. They visit granny and her small village and this is a nice, sentimental journey all the way. Touching and impressive film that's far from my own reality. Some really impressive scenes - the bird's nest-scene, the foggy woods-scene among others. Well acted - I really wonder what the kid are up to these days, knowing his out of the movie business. OK production, it's getting 15 years now so I guess you can't expect too much. I would say that the sound is especially magnificent, even today. The ending is remarkable in it's own way. Well worth a go. 7.5. out of 10 sunglasses. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Despite that my rating may be a misleading indication of the film's qualities, some true facts about Majidi's "family" film are: - He creates intense drama without manipulative melodrama. - It is gorgeously filmed. - It has powerful lessons in between about the importance of the family bonds. - It has a heartfelt score. - It is not your typical drama film. This unfortunately does not exclude the usage of some clichés in the characters and the typical "The Sound of Music" hills scenes in which the main character contemplates nature as an obvious in-your-face reminder about the extraordinary importance of sight, and the appreciation of the things and senses we have in life. The importance of these messages will never wear out, so originality is not an issue here. It is about delivering them in a form transcendent enough to cause a long-term reflection or, in the best of the cases, an emotional perpetuity in the viewer. That is not accomplished here, because the effect is definitely short-term. Yet, the performances by father and son are impeccable, especially by Mohsen Ramezani, the blind boy fighting against indifference and the cowardice of his tormented father, and the imagery is difficult to forget. 74/100 Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews

The Color of Paradise

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