The Song of Sparrows

PG

Released Apr 3, 2009

1h 36m

Drama

List

98%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

After losing a valuable ostrich, Karim (Reza Naji) is fired from his job tending fowl on a small farm. Desperate to repair his daughter's broken hearing aid, Karim sets out on his motorcycle to find work in the bustling city of Tehran, Iran. Karim accidentally falls into a lucrative new line of work when a distracted businessman mistakes him for a taxi and jumps on the back of his motorcycle. But as the allure of the city takes its hold on Karim, he begins to lose sight of what matters most.

Critics Consensus

A heartfelt, affecting parable, The Song of Sparrows is another gem from Iranian director Majid Majidi.

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David Fear

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Jonathan Curiel

San Francisco Chronicle

At times funny, sad, poignant and suspenseful, Sparrows is a showcase for Majidi's masterful storytelling -- and Naji's superb acting.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 12, 2009

Full Review

Dan Zak

Washington Post

At times tedious but ultimately beguiling, Song of Sparrows morphs from a sly dramedy about running a household into a fable about two ways of life (urban and rural) that can't coexist.

Jun 12, 2009

Full Review

Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

'The Song of Sparrows' is a very moving film by the Iranian director Majid Majidi. It's realism strikes me with subtlety as it presents a portrait of poverty, child labor and parental sacrifice. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 7/10

Aug 4, 2020

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

At once dryly funny and deeply moving; an affecting portrait of an Iranian family as they deal with the struggles of every day life.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 7, 2019

Full Review

MaryAnn Johanson

Flick Filosopher

[A]stonishes with me its simplicity, its uncomplicated wisdom, its visual salience...

Sep 1, 2009

Full Review

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Rodrigo M

This movie is pure poetry! Magnificent, resonant! This is top notch cinema!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

My second Majidi film and one of my few ambassadors of Iranian films. It's similiar too "Rang-e khoda" as they both involves kids with limitations. They also share many similiar themes and subplots. I got a feeling that many of his films are in the same style, and that's not a bad thing. Karim, the family leader and father is working at an ostrich ranch but he ends up without a job. At the same time his daughter ruins her hearing aid and needs a new one. This is too expencive for the family so it's not a great time to lose a job. Luckily he finds new ways to earn money but he may not be the best spender. A younger kid in the family is always in trouble as well even of his actions are ment well. A trip to a very different culture than mine and a sweet story with many great moments. Basicly about life, life values and the hope of something better. Still a film about a lot more. 7.5 out of 10 blue doors.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Really makes you think about our "1st World Problems"....

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The simplicity is amazing, all Iranian movie I have watched rely on simple, humanistic and heartfelt story telling, and The Song of Sparrows is no exception. If you miss down-to-earth movie, this is your chance to take a break from those flashy blockbuster movie.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A simple and moving tale of Karim , whose transformation forces you to explore one's own alienation and existence in an urban, fast-paced city life. The film moved me to a point where a torn polythene bag of fruit makes you go "noo". You end up rooting for him in a silent, prayer kind of a way by the time you sit though the 1.37hr movie which takes you on a roller coaster ride of culture-shock (bike-cabs!) and emotions of sorts. Well worth a watch !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

At times funny, sad, poignant and suspenseful, Sparrows is a showcase for Majidi's masterful storytelling -- and Naji's superb acting.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

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Majid Majidi

Director

Mohammad Amir Naji

Karim

Hamid Aghazi

Hossein

Maryam Akbari

Narges

Kamran Dehghan

Abbas

Schabnam Akhlaghi

Haneyeh

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Critics Consensus: Fast & Furious Is Running On Empty

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Synopsis

After losing a valuable ostrich, Karim (Reza Naji) is fired from his job tending fowl on a small farm. Desperate to repair his daughter's broken hearing aid, Karim sets out on his motorcycle to find work in the bustling city of Tehran, Iran. Karim accidentally falls into a lucrative new line of work when a distracted businessman mistakes him for a taxi and jumps on the back of his motorcycle. But as the allure of the city takes its hold on Karim, he begins to lose sight of what matters most.

Director: Majid Majidi
Producer: Majid Majidi
Screenwriter: Mehran Kashani, Majid Majidi
Distributor: Regent Releasing
Rating: PG (Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Persian
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 16, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $115.9K
Runtime: 1h 36m

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