The Color of Paradise - Breathtaking Piece of Art

Of the numerous movies I have had the pleasure of viewing, the most spiritually enriched are the ones directed by Majid Majidi. 

The Iranian auteur has a flair for making such movies, though at no point they appear preachy. Simple narratives that celebrate the human spirit, no matter what the circumstances that form the basis of the plot, are the painterly filmmaker’s forte.

Whether it’s the backdrop of a busy construction site (as in Baran) or the struggles of a pair of siblings from a lower middleclass family in suburban Tehran (as in Children of Heaven), Majidi’s stories are always uplifting and replete with mystical undertones. Like Sufi poetry, his films always enchant the soul and take the viewer to a different level of ecstasy.

Majidi’s most spiritually elevating movie is The Color of Paradise.  The story of Muhammad, a blind boy, whose mystical vision, understanding of nature and compassionate character make a viewing of this movie an amazing experience.

The visionless boy has a better understanding of God’s creation than his sighted father. Muhammad feels the beauty of nature around him, the affection of his fairylike sisters and the love of his grandmother. However, he feels that his widower father, an ungrateful man, considers him a burden.

The contrasting characters of Muhammad and his father form the focal point of this unforgettable drama. Where the blind boy feels the grace of the Almighty, his father sees only misery and poverty.

The movie reinforces the fact man doesn’t appreciate what he has unless he loses it, as in case of Muhammad’s father, who is unable to accept his son because of the latter’s disability.  

Each character in the movie is adorable save for Muhammad’s father. The boy’s sisters enchant us with their angelic smiles, while his lovable granny shows immense inner strength and vision. Minutes before her death, the elderly woman appears mystical. Besides, her compassion for Muhammad, concern for her hopeless son, and adoration for her granddaughters make her a woman of strong character and nobility.

To highlight Muhammad’s sensitivity, the film uses natural sounds to great effect. One particular scene wherein the boy uses his skills to rescue a baby bird that is constantly chirping after falling off its nest fills our hearts with joy unspeakable.

The cinematography of Mohammad Davudi that captures the exquisite landscapes of rural Iran and the feelings of the adorable kids (Muhammad and his sisters) make the movie a feast for the eyes. Profoundly spiritual and mystically enthralling, The Color of Paradise is a breathtaking piece of art.  10/10