I would love to know more about the making of this film. Is this film exactly as the director, Jafar Panahi, planned or did he simply adapt the film to circumstances? I'll try to explain: The film begins with a primary school letting out for the day. All the children either take their bus or have their parents come for them. That is, everyone but tiny Mina (who appears to be about 6 or 7). When her mother doesn't show, an irresponsible teacher sends her off with a well-meaning man--but soon she is separated from him and the child fends for herself--trying to zig-zag her way through the city to her home. However, Teheran is a city of 8,000,000--and the traffic is crazy busy--and so the child's task seems impossible--especially since she doesn't exactly know how to get home.
About 40% of the way through the film, the child suddenly announces that she is finished with the movie and is leaving. And, you see the camera crew and director! They beg the child to continue but she will not. However, they now decide to continue filming her--but from a distance. And, the reality and the film are about the same here, as the child does continue walking and looking for her home--just like her character.
The idea of this film is quite good and the Iranians have shown that you can make great films with child actors and not much in the way of plot (such as Majid Majidi's "Children of Heaven"). However, although the idea of someone stepping out of the film is intriguing, the problem is that it happens way too early in the movie. Because of this, the pictures just goes on and on and on and it is simply way overlong. Had the film been 45 minutes or even an hour, it would have worked much better. But, at an hour and 42 minutes, it becomes quite dull and drags. Worth seeing for the insane film buff (like me)--otherwise you could do better. The only reason the film earns a 5 is the idea is sound and the little girl is pretty cute.
