The White Balloon

Jafar Panahi

Razieh, the protagonist of the movie played by Aida Mohammadkhani, shows us that children can be the most ‘original’ of actors. They have not yet learnt the dissembling ways of the adult world, which become so difficult to shed when we try to be ‘natural’ when acting. Her determined quest for a goldfish challenges anyone who thinks that an adult’s hunt for gold could be any more serious or ridiculous. Made by an Iranian director who has also faced prison for having dared to exercise his freedom of expression, the beautiful film brings hope to all creative artists who continue to suffer under repressive regimes.