The Color of Paradise

...or in original: Rang-e khoda (in French: La Couleur du Paradis), a Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi (1999).

I had never seen this film but Aurore had and she was also in possession of the DVD.

The story is located to Tehran and the institute for the blind where the young main character Mohammed, waits for his father, supposed to take him home during the summer vacation.
We see all the other children, with warmth, being brought to their different destinations by their parents but Mohammed is left alone with one of his teachers who tries to comfort him, saying that the father has been delayed.

The fact is that Mohammeds father is ashamed of his son and actually not interested in bringing him home.

While waiting for his father - who finally arrives - Mohammed rescues a bird who has fallen from his nest and almost being eaten by a cat.

This is somewhat the 'trademark' for this boy, his deep interest and engagement in nature and living creatures, thereby trying to learn about life itself and how precious it is and how important loving and caring is.

The same love and affection he seeks from his father, love that the father is unwilling to give.

When arriving in the village all the women and girls are happy to see Mohammed again but his father tries to hide him, not least for his fiancée, with whom he intends to get married.

Mohammeds grandmother doesn't approve of her son neglecting her grandson but she's more worried about Mohammeds father than Mohammed. The latter - though fragile on the surface - is deep inside mentally stronger than his father.

The father takes his son to a blind carpenter, hoping that he will take care of him, making it less complicated to marry his fiancée, not needing to present his son.

Will the father in the end be able to show his son all the love and affection he so desperately long for?

This film is very touching and interesting, displaying a man who is very immature and not at all up to his role as a father. Egoistic, irresponsible, he hurts his son deeply, not least as the latter might be more sensible to emotions than a non blind person, 'reading' his father from the first day at school.

The director has early on in his career had Mohsen Makhmalbaf as an inspiring source and mentor.

I can recommend this film for those of you who like a good scenario, with interesting characters and an interesting story about love, responsibility, the shortness of life and questions concerning "why" and "if".

On the same time it's a film 'nice' enough to suite The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.