Synopsis

After Ali accidentally loses his younger sister Zahra's only pair of shoes, the siblings hide the mistake from their struggling parents and share Ali's worn-out sneakers for school. When Ali learns that a children's race offers new shoes as a prize, he enters determined to finish third, hoping to win footwear for Zahra. Their plan tests the limits of childhood loyalty and endurance.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film's original Persian title is Bacheha-ye aseman, which translates as "Children of Heaven."

• The production was made in Tehran on an estimated budget of about $180,000.

• Filming was reportedly kept discreet in parts of Tehran to preserve a more natural view of the city and its residents.

• The film premiered at Iran's Fajr Film Festival in 1997, where it won the Crystal Simorgh for Best Film, along with awards for screenplay, editing, and other achievements.

• It won the Grand Prix des Ameriques at the 1997 Montreal World Film Festival, helping establish it internationally before its U.S. release.

• Its Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film at the 71st Academy Awards made it the first Iranian film nominated in that category.

• The U.S. release followed the Oscar nomination, opening on January 22, 1999.

• The film's simple premise, restrained dialogue, and emphasis on visual storytelling contributed to its broad appeal beyond Iran.

• The story inspired later adaptations, including Singapore's Homerun and India's Bumm Bumm Bole.