Homework is a documentary that was directed by Abbas Kiarostami in 1989. The film features interviews with young male students from a local school in Tehran, Iran. Kiarostami was inspired to make the film after he realized that he was having difficulties assisting his son with his homework, which in Iran requires a great deal of parental assistance.
The film follows Kiarostami as he interviews the students and asks them about their experiences with homework and their relationships with their parents. The students share their frustrations with homework assignments that are too difficult, the pressure to succeed academically, and the challenges they face in completing their homework without the help of their parents.
Throughout the film, Kiarostami also presents a critique of the Iranian educational system, which places a heavy emphasis on memorization and repetition rather than creativity and critical thinking. He argues that this approach to education can stifle a child's natural curiosity and imagination, and ultimately lead to a lack of innovation in society.
Homework is a thought-provoking and insightful documentary that offers a glimpse into the lives of young people in Iran and the challenges they face in navigating a rigorous educational system.