The White Balloon-Badkonake Sefid (1995)

Directed by: Jafar Panahi | 85 minutes | drama, family | Actors: Aida Mohammadkhani, Mohsen Kafili, Fereshteh Sadre Orafaiy, Anna Borkowska, Mohammad Shahani, Mohammed Bakhtiar, Aliasghar Smadi, Hamidreza Tahery, Asghar Barzegar, Hasan Neamatolahi, Bosnali Bahary, Mohammadreoond Hayely,, Mohammadreza Homayelyak, Mohammad , Mohammad Zolfaghary

Despite, or perhaps because of, the country’s censorship, Iranian cinema has grown over the years to become one of the most acclaimed national film industries worldwide. Young children often play the leading role in Iranian cinema. These are children’s films that are not only intended for children. In simple storylines and a realistic visual language they roam through a world of adults, often encountering incomprehension. Abbas Kiarostami, one of the most acclaimed Iranian filmmakers, set in 1987 with his film ‘Where Is My Friend’s House?’, about a boy who goes in search of his classmate’s house in the next village to collect his notebook with homework. return, the trend. Other filmmakers followed his lead. Perhaps one of the most famous Iranian films of the past fifteen years is Jafar Panahi’s ‘The White Balloon’ (‘Badkonake Sefid’), the film that won several awards at festivals in 1995 and was the first Iranian film in the entire Western world. world was distributed. This film also came from Abbas Kiarostami, who wrote the script for Panahi.

‘De Witte Ballon’ centers on the adventures of an endearing little girl who receives money from her mother but then loses it. It is almost Iranian New Year and everyone is busy preparing for the festivities. Seven-year-old Razieh (Aida Mohammadkhani) has set her sights on a beautiful big fish, which she would like to have as a New Year’s gift. However, her stressed mother doesn’t feel like buying the expensive fish for her daughter, especially not because they already have goldfish themselves in the pond in the garden. But Razieh doesn’t give up. She convinces her brother Ali (Mohsen Kafili) to persuade their mother. However, she only has a 500 note in her wallet, while the fish is much cheaper. So she expects Razieh to take the change back with her. The little girl is thrilled to finally be allowed to buy the fish and rushes to the market, oblivious to the dangerous situations she faces. For example, she walks past a couple of snake charmers who extort the money from her, but fortunately eventually return it. When she finally arrives at the market vendor, she appears to have lost the note again. Desperate Razieh does not want to disappoint her mother and does not consider returning home without money and without fish. She decides to track down the note, aided by a colorful arsenal of fellow townspeople.

Jafar Panahi started his career as an assistant to director Abbas Kiarostami while filming ‘Through the Olive Trees’ (1994). He took note of the wise lessons that the experienced filmmaker taught him. One of those lessons was undoubtedly that he had to keep the story simple and the number of characters manageable. And that is exactly what happens in ‘De Witte Ballon’; the main characters are all introduced early on. What is also striking is that Panahi shows social commitment in his film. The main figures Razieh meets along the way are strangers. Hindu snake charmers frantically trying to earn some extra cash before the New Year celebrations kick in, a soldier from another part of the country who has no money to spend the holidays with his family, and a young Afghan refugee who survives by selling balloons. These characters underline once again that this film – despite the fact that a child plays the lead role – also tries to convey a valuable message for adults.
Despite those underlying heavier themes, Panahi listened carefully to his teacher and kept the story nice and simple. In an inventive way and on a small budget, however, the whole has been adapted into a very captivating film. Panahi and Kiarostami manage to turn the most mundane situation – a girl who loses her mother’s money – into a very entertaining film, which is exciting at times and gives the Western world a nice insight into life in the metropolis of Tehran. In addition to humor, the seemingly innocent storylines also contain a dose of frustration and despair. Little Aida Mohammadkhani’s acting is remarkable to say the least. The director searches for his actors in a very unconventional way. He imagines a character very well and, when he thinks of a non-professional actor, looks for him or her on the street. In doing so, he relies entirely on his gut feeling, being convinced that there is only one person walking around who can play the part. He also trusts blindly that he will find him or her. That’s how he found his young lead actress. In the case of ‘De Witte Ballon’, this casting method results in very natural and spontaneous acting.

‘The White Balloon’ is a moving and entertaining film about the vicissitudes of a little girl in the big city. Without unnecessary fuss and despite the cultural differences very recognizable. A children’s film that is definitely also made for adults. Realistic and straight from the heart. Highly recommended!