Der weiße Ballon

A little girl and big men. A goldfish and a banknote. Luck and misfortune. A banal micro-story unfolding in real time. Nothing happens that couldn’t happen at any time on the streets of the real Tehran, or any other city for that matter. Nothing that would prevent us from believing. A unique aspect of The White Balloon is the child’s perspective. The little girl in the lead role, switching naturally from crying to smiling, is amazing. Panahi has managed to capture the entirely ordinary and fully justified fear of a child who is defenceless in the world of adults. Politics, the military and religion are of secondary importance to him. Those who want answers to the big questions must start with the small ones. 80% (23.10.2021)

How is it possible to make a film about a little girl dropping money in a place she can't reach, and yet it is a fun movie that won't bore you for a moment, in addition, it allows you to glimpse into interesting characters and an interesting world. Definitely worth watching an Iranian film, which I probably wouldn't have believed before. (18.03.2016)