Sun Children

Majid Majidi’s critically acclaimed, heartfelt heist film has its UK premiere at LIFF 2020 after screening in competition at Venice. A gang of street boys, led by 12-year-old Ali, work hard to survive and support their families by doing odd jobs and committing petty crime. One day a local criminal recruits them to find buried treasure hidden below the Sun school for street children. To reach the treasure, the boys must first enrol at the school where they learn some big life lessons.

‘We had over 3000 auditions, over a four months period, before identifying our actors. Some are real street children, like Shamila (Zahra) and her brother Aboulfazl. They are Afghan immigrants on screen but also in real life. They live with their parents and just like in the film, they split their days between working in the streets or subway and attending a school for child workers. I visited their school a year ago. Shamila was like a light, so self-assured, with a natural charisma. I then met with her younger brother… their acting strength came from their life experience. As for Rouhollah (Ali), he too had never acted. He was pure, with raw energy, determined to give more than expected.’

Majid Majidi, Director