These moving pictures we watch, become our dreams. These words we read, become an extension of who we are. These songs we hear, become the melody our spirit dances to. Consume carefully, for if you allow something to touch you—even gently—it changes you forever.
In my ongoing exploration of The Weight of Memory, I offer you a weekly gesture—a film or book that has stirred something in me. My hope is that it may do the same for you. Take what you need. Leave what you don’t.
This Week’s Offering: The Song of Sparrows (2008)
Directed by Majid Majidi, The Song of Sparrows is a tender Iranian film that follows Karim, a good family man whose simple life in rural Iran is upended when he ‘accidentally’ begins to work in the bustling city of Tehran. His motivation for work is inspired by humble intentions: to buy a new hearing aid for his daughter. Quickly his character evolves as he wants more and better for his family. As he grapples with the challenges of his new life, he encounters small but profound moments of human connection and disconnection until life takes him to a time where inner reflection cannot be avoided. The film is a meditation on the weight of everyday struggles, the dignity found in labor, and the quiet beauty of perseverance.
It is nuanced with emotional relatability that it is inevitable to turn inward. I personally was reminded of a moment from my own life, years ago when I was late for an important meeting, desperate to prove myself. I had a client waiting, a project I loved, and yet—nothing went right. I got lost in a taxi. My shoes broke. Twice. Yet, I kept moving forward. Limping through the streets of Bangkok, trying not to let the cracks in my shoes show.
That day was a test. Not of professionalism or punctuality, but of my willingness to keep showing up, even broken, even uncertain. Karim’s story in The Song of Sparrows echoes that quiet resistance, the small, hidden dignities that we carry through our struggles. The weight of our own persistence, even when it feels as though everything is falling apart.
This film is not about grand gestures. It is about the everyday moments we often overlook—the soft hum of life continuing despite our imperfections.
If you find yourself facing struggles, big or small, The Song of Sparrows is a reminder that even in the brokenness, there is a song. A rhythm that moves us forward.
Film Directed by Majid Majidi
Starring: Muhammad Amir Naji
Produced by: Majid Majidi Film Production
“The beauty of life is in its simplicity.”
“What we have is the present. And that is all”
“Life is a song, but you must learn to listen to it.”
“The song of the sparrows is in every moment. Joyful, heavy hearted, the sparrows sing through it all.”
Where to Watch:
Prompt (after you watch the film):
In your own life, what is the “song of sparrows”—the small, quiet things that carry you through difficult moments? Can you find beauty in those moments, even if they seem insignificant?
