The White Balloon

The countdown to Nooruz in the poorer South Tehran sees black-faced Haji Ferouz characters entertaining on the streets as others are busy with preparations. But little Razieh, already in her new clothes, just wants a new goldfish. Not from the family pond but rather a fat white one with a flowing tail. When her mother gives in, she slips out and has encounters to encounters with the dervish snake charmer, the tailor finishing new shirts, and that familiar Panahi figure, the young soldier from the countryside, who cannot afford to return home for the holiday. Finally, she enlists help from a young Afghani balloon seller. It's quite an adventure for a seven-year-old and, through Panahi's own editing, the tension becomes, ironically, almost unbearable at points. We are, after all, talking about a quest for a goldfish! Or are we? The non-Farsi speaker misses the range of accents, but there are other indicators of this diversity. With the poignant last shot, a theme traced subtly through the film explodes, leaving a bitter aftertaste.

SFF is proud to have acquired a new 35mm print of The White Balloon to ensure the film will remain accessible for audiences for years to come.

Screens with The Accordion

This film is classified G.

• Awards Camera d’Or, 1995 Cannes Film Festival