Why you can trust 12DOVE
Children Of Heaven was the first Iranian movie to be nominated for an Oscar (it lost out to Life Is Beautiful), so it's surprising it's taken so long reaching our screens.
Nine-year-old Ali (Hashemian) has mislaid his sister Zahra (Seddiqi)'s shoes. Afraid to tell his impoverished parents about the loss, Ali comes up with a practical solution: Zahra can wear his trainers during her morning lessons provided she returns them to him in time for his afternoon classes.
Clearly influenced by Italian neo-realists such as Bicycle Thieves director Vittorio De Sica, helmer Majid Majidi uses real locations and non-professional actors to fashion an engaging portrait of youthful determination and resilience. And in documenting the rituals of everyday life in the capital, the film-maker doesn't shirk from depicting the material gulf between the social classes. Beguiling stuff.
The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.

Blood of Dawnwalker devs explain how the vampire RPG's "narrative sandbox" builds on what they were "known for crafting" in games like The Witcher 3

Persona and Metaphor: ReFantazio composer's new JRPG gets a Steam Next Fest demo, and it's basically a turn-based Metal Gear Solid

Avowed is nothing like Bethesda's RPGs, but The Elder Scrolls 6 should take inspiration from its combat