Song of Sparrows is a 2008 Iranian film directed by Majid Majidi. It tells the story of a man named Karim who works as an ostrich farmer until an accident causes him to lose his job and forces his family to move from their rural village to the bustling city of Tehran. The film explores themes of hardship, morality, spirituality and the importance of family.
What is the plot of Song of Sparrows?
The movie focuses on Karim, who lives happily with his wife and two daughters in a rural village where he works on an ostrich farm. One day, one of the ostriches escapes after Karim forgets to properly latch the gate. The ostrich causes considerable damage, destroys a neighbor’s crops and injures a motorcyclist. Karim’s boss fires him and refuses to pay the damages. With no job, Karim is forced to move with his family to Tehran to find work.
In Tehran, Karim struggles to support his family. His eldest daughter Haniyeh gets a job at a hospital against his wishes. Karim finds random jobs like garbage collecting but it barely pays enough. Meanwhile, his youngest daughter, Zahra, becomes obsessed with having to own jeans and Nike shoes because her peers have them.
One day, Zahra’s headphones are stolen, leaving her distraught. Karim only has a limited time to come up with the money to replace them. He tries taking on multiple jobs but finds little luck. Finally, he hears about a job opportunity at the hospital where Haniyeh works. Despite his reluctance about her job, he decides to put his pride aside and ask her for help.
Haniyeh manages to convince her boss to give Karim a job at the hospital parking lot as an attendant. Though the job pays little, the money allows Karim to buy Zahra new headphones, restoring her spirit. In a message about finding meaning through helping others, Karim seems to find a sense of satisfaction in his simple job at the hospital, finding purpose in holding open doors for patients and visitors.
The film ends with Karim returning home one day to find that his wife has learned that their village home, which they were forced to abandon, has been destroyed in a flood. While the family copes with this new loss, Karim retains his faith, forgives those who wronged him, and continues to find joy in the simple rewards of his hospital job.
Who are the main characters in Song of Sparrows?
Karim: The main protagonist. A simple, religious man who works as an ostrich farmer in rural Iran. After losing his job, he is forced to move with his family to Tehran and take menial jobs to get by. Though put through hardship, he retains his principles and faith.
Narges: Karim’s wife. She dutifully follows and supports her husband. She is protective of her daughters, especially Zahra.
Haniyeh: Karim and Narges’ eldest daughter. She is an excellent student and wants to pursue higher education over her father’s objections. She gets a job at the hospital to help the family’s finances.
Zahra: Karim and Narges’ younger daughter. She is enamored by pop culture and consumer goods. She fall into despair when her headphones are stolen until her father buys her new ones.
Mehdi: Karim’s stern and religiously conservative brother who disapproves of Karim allowing Haniyeh to work at the hospital with unrelated men.
Simin: Haniyeh’s friend and coworker at the hospital. She helps Haniyeh convince their boss to give Karim a job.
What is the significance of the title Song of Sparrows?
The title Song of Sparrows refers to a metaphor used in the film. It compares people to sparrows. Sparrows live freely and happily in rural areas. But when they are taken to the crowded city, they are trapped in cages, their songs silenced.
This represents Karim’s situation. He lived like a happy, free sparrow in his village but after being forced to Tehran, he struggles in poverty and hardship as if trapped in a cage. The title references Karim’s desire to retain his “song” – his spirit, dignity and principles despite the challenges of his new urban life.
The motif of sparrows recurs throughout the film. Karim is associated with sparrows through his morning prayers and his kind acts of helping others. The title reflects Karim’s optimism and faith even during turmoil and his will to find joy and purpose no matter his circumstances.
What are the major themes of the movie?
Here are some of the main themes explored in Song of Sparrows:
Hardship and struggle: Much of the film depicts Karim’s difficulties in providing for his family after losing his job. It shows the suffering and burdens faced by the lower class in Iran.
Dignity in the face of adversity: Even when put through crushing hardship, Karim retains his principles and his will to live honorably, avoiding theft or deception.
Generosity and morality: Karim is depicted as kind-hearted and generous. His innate desire to help others ultimately gives him purpose when working at the hospital parking lot.
Family bonds: Karim relies heavily on his family for support. In turn, he goes to great lengths to protect and provide for them. The film emphasizes the importance of family.
Spirituality: Karim’s deep religious faith shapes his worldview and approach to life’s challenges. The film contrasts his spirituality with his brother Mehdi’s stricter interpretation of religion.
Urbanization and modernization: Karim struggles to adapt to the bustling city where his daughters are enamored by consumerism and popular fashions, contrasting the traditional rural life he knew.
Forgiveness: Despite those who wrong and mistreat him, Karim chooses to forgive them graciously, in line with his spiritual beliefs.
How did critics receive Song of Sparrows?
Song of Sparrows was widely acclaimed by critics, both within Iran and internationally. Here is a summary of how some critics received the film:
- Critics praised the performance of lead actor Reza Naji (Karim), with some calling it among the best acting of the year.
- They admiring the cinematography and imagery, such as the metaphorical shots of sparrows flying freely contrasted with ones of them in cages.
- Many found the story poignant, poetic and touching in its depiction of a family’s struggles.
- Some labeled Majidi’s direction “masterful” in capturing human relationships and nature visually.
- The spirituality and themes of dignity in adversity resonated with many viewers.
- Some found the ending a bit overly positive, but still considered the film powerful.
- Critics in Iran praised it as capturing the country’s social and economic difficulties.
- Western critics lauded it as providing a window into the human condition in Iran.
- The film won numerous awards globally including the Silver Shell for Best Actor at the San Sebastian Film Festival.
While a few critics found flaws with pacing or tone, most agreed Song of Sparrows was an outstanding Iranian film due to its humanistic story, strong acting and empathetic themes.
What awards did Song of Sparrows receive?
Some of the notable awards won by Song of Sparrows:
- Silver Shell for Best Actor (Reza Naji) at San Sebastian International Film Festival
- Signis Award at São Paulo International Film Festival
- Best Asian Film at Asia Pacific Screen Awards
- Special Jury Award at Black Nights Film Festival
- Golden Peacock at the International Film Festival of India
- Best Film at the Fajr Film Festival in Iran
Domestically in Iran, it won several prestigious awards including Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor at the annual Fajr Film Festival. Internationally, lead actor Reza Naji received the most recognition, winning Best Actor awards at festivals in Spain, Portugal, Russia and elsewhere. The film’s humanism and artistry clearly resonated across cultures.
What is the significance of the ending?
The ending shows Karim returning home one day to find his wife Narges deeply upset for having received word that their original home in the village was destroyed in a flood. While the family despairs at this news, Karim retains a positive, hopeful outlook. He comments, “It’s just a house – nothing important.” He tells Narges they will just have to work hard and be patient.
The ending signifies that despite this new loss, Karim has not lost his resilience or his larger outlook on what matters in life – his family and maintaining his principles. The home being destroyed bookends the central tragedy that uprooted the family’s life in the village. But Karim realizes life is more than material things and places.
Through everything, Karim keeps sight of what’s important – treasuring moments of joy and fulfillment, like when he sees his daughter happily listening to music he worked hard to give her. By finding meaning through helping people, he finds spiritual sustenance that helps him endure hardships. The ending offers a touching message about keeping hope alive.
How does the setting play a role in the film?
The contrast between the rural village and bustling Tehran is central to the film’s themes.
In the ostrich farm village, life is simple but idyllic. Karim’s family lives happily together. The beautiful, natural imagery shows this as their paradise lost.
Tehran is presented as a crowded, chaotic, polluted place indifferent to the struggles of migrants like Karim. But it also represents modernity and progress that Karim’s daughters embrace. Tehran tests whether Karim’s traditions and dignity can survive this jarring urban landscape.
The dichotomy highlights how traditional rural life and modern urbanization are colliding in Iran. Like the trapped sparrows, those whose lifestyles or values don’t adapt face marginalization. But Karim’s story suggests struggling migrants can still find meaning and moral purpose in the city through kindness and faith.
How is music used in the film?
Music is central to Song of Sparrows on multiple levels:
- The importance Zahra places on her headphones and pop music highlights the allure of modernization to Iranian youth.
- The hijab-wearing Haniyeh singing gracefully in the hospital emphasizes her innocent spirit despite labels and appearances.
- Somber, stirring instrumental music often accompanies emotional or philosophical moments.
- The sounds of nature in the village vs. urban noise in Tehran underscores the contrast.
- Traditional Middle Eastern instruments like the setar and ney flute are integrated, connoting Iran’s cultural identity.
- The diversity of musical styles mirrors the interplay of tradition and modernity in Iran.
Overall, music aids in characterization, mood and theme. The “song of sparrows” is Karim’s struggle to retain his core self, morals, and dignity – his ‘song’ – amidst the chaos. The power of music also highlights his hope.
How does the film comment on social class differences in Iran?
The film highlights Iran’s stark class divides from several angles:
– Karim’s family is rendered penniless and homeless by one mistake at work. It shows their lack of financial security or employment protections.
– Despite being smart and ambitious, Haniyeh’s options as a lower class woman are limited – she has to fight to pursue education over marriage.
– Karim struggles to keep his head above water doing manual labor in the city, showing limited upward mobility.
– Zahra envies her richer peers, unable to afford little luxuries her friends have.
– Karim’s uneducated, rural traditions contrast the wealthier urbanites who look down on him.
– Even within one hospital, the poor parking attendant Karim is juxtaposed with the elite head doctor.
The film humanizes Iran’s lower class and demonstrates their strong family bonds and virtue. But it also reveals a system that gives them few protections. Through Karim’s eyes, we see Iran’s social divides and the toll of modernization on rural traditions.
How does religion influence the characters?
Islamic faith shapes the traditions and outlooks of Karim and his family:
– Karim’s morning prayer ritual using a ‘mohr’ stone represents his spiritual grounding.
– His belief in forgiveness, helping others and acceptance of hardship reflect Muslim values.
– Karim berates his brother’s judgmental attitude as misinterpreting their faith.
– But Mehdi also represents the conservative outlook that resists change.
– Haniyeh challenges tradition but retains her spirituality singing praise songs at the hospital.
– Zahra represents a new generation allured by fashion, music and secularism.
The film suggests tension between the religious old-guard resisting change and the progressive youth seeking new identity. But it advocates for a middle path that adapts faith to modernity while retaining tradition’s wisdom and spirituality.
Conclusion
Through poetic imagery and thoughtful storytelling, Majid Majidi’s Song of Sparrows brings to life the struggles of the lower class in Iran who are caught between fading rural traditions and an indifferent, modernizing urban landscape. While depicting hardship, it communicates themes of dignity, morality, and finding meaning through spirituality and helping others. Its messages about family and finding “song” – purpose and identity – amidst adversity resonate universally. By delicately balancing Iran’s complex social and religious dynamics with humanistic metaphor, Song of Sparrows illustrates the redemptive power of Iranian cinema to inspire audiences globally.
