Children of Heaven, released in 1997, secured the first Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature Film ever granted to an Iranian production. Directed by Majid Majidi, the film represents the formal debut of a creative sensibility that frequently centers on adolescent protagonists while examining complex themes regarding poverty, humanistic connection, and the resilience of family structures.
Early Career and Training
Born in Tehran in 1959, Majidi began his engagement with the arts at the age of 14 by participating in local amateur theater ensembles. His formal education took place at the Institute of Dramatic Arts in Tehran. Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, his focus shifted toward the film industry, leading to his appearance as an actor in various productions, most notably Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s 1985 film Boycott.
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Throughout his career, Majidi has utilized film to explore social issues and religious identity. His work gained international attention with the release of The Color of Paradise in 1999 and Baran in 2001. In 2008, he released The Song of Sparrows, which served as the opening film for the Visakhapatnam International Film Festival. His 2015 production, Muhammad: The Messenger of God, is an epic treatment of the early life of the Islamic prophet, a project notable for the creative decision to keep the protagonist’s face obscured throughout the runtime.
Documentary and International Projects
Majidi has also directed various documentaries and shorts that address humanitarian and geopolitical themes. In 2002, he directed the feature-length documentary Barefoot to Herat, which detailed life within refugee camps and the urban landscape of Herat during the anti-Taliban offensive. Additionally, he was selected as one of five international directors commissioned by the Beijing government to create Vision Beijing, a short film project intended to document the city prior to the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Political and Artistic Stance
Majidi’s professional trajectory has often intersected with international politics. He withdrew from a Danish film festival to protest the publication of cartoons satirizing the prophet Muhammad, citing a desire to oppose insults directed at religious beliefs. More recently, he publicly condemned the 2026 Israeli-American military actions against Iran, framing the conflict as a moral struggle between opposing forces and calling for a global awakening regarding the treatment of oppressed populations.
Fast facts
- Born: 17 April 1959, Tehran
- Primary occupations: Screenwriter, director, actor, producer
- Notable film: Children of Heaven (1997)
- Documentary feature: Barefoot to Herat (2002)
- Religion: Islam
- Citizenship: Iran
Questions readers ask
What is the subject of the film Muhammad: The Messenger of God?
The film covers the childhood of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, deliberately obscuring his face onscreen.
Was Children of Heaven an Academy Award winner?
No, it was the first Iranian film to be nominated for Best International Feature Film, but it lost to Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful.
