Lost in the Bazaar

A little boy who holds his mother’s chador in Tehran Grand Bazaar in the 60s.

FADE IN:

EXT. TEHRAN GRAND BAZAAR — DAY

It’s the 60s, and the sun is blazing hot on this melty summer day. We see a BUS approaching, and on it is a five-year-old boy, ALI, with his mother and sister. His mother is wearing a black chador, the most common sort of hijab in Iran at the time.

MOTHER: Ali, you should hold my chador all the time. Otherwise, you will be lost because the bazaar is a wide area.

CUT TO:

INT. BAZAAR — MOMENTS LATER

Ali, his mother, and his sister are walking through the busy corridors of the bazaar. The camera shows a chaotic scene, with vendors shouting, people haggling, and customers rushing around. Ali is fascinated by the environment all around him with hundreds of black chadors, making it hard for him to see.

MOTHER: Come on, Ali. Stay close to me.

CUT TO:

INT. STORE — LATER

Ali is looking at some toys in a store, while his mother and sister are browsing elsewhere. Suddenly, he gets distracted by a shiny object and runs toward it. When he turns around, his mother is gone.

CUT TO:

INT. BAZAAR — LATER

Ali is wandering around the bazaar, lost and scared. He can’t find his mother, and the black chadors all around him make it impossible to see her.

CUT TO:

INT. BAZAAR — MOMENTS LATER

A little girl walks past Ali, holding her mother’s chador. They briefly make eye contact before the girl pulls her mother’s chador to draw her attention to Ali.

LITTLE GIRL: Mommy, that boy looks lost.

MOTHER: (looking at Ali) Are you lost, little boy?

ALI: (tearfully) Yes, I can’t find my mommy.

CUT TO:

INT. BAZAAR — LATER

Ali’s mother is frantically searching for him. She looks worried and scared.

CUT TO:

INT. BAZAAR — MOMENTS LATER

The little girl’s mother is holding Ali’s hand, and they’re walking toward Ali’s mother.

MOTHER: (relieved) Ali! Thank God you’re safe!

ALI: (crying) Mommy!

CUT TO:

INT. ICE CREAM SHOP — LATER

Ali’s sister buys him a traditional Iranian ice cream with faloodeh, and they sit to enjoy it. The camera shows a close-up of the ice cream, with a spoon digging into it.

FADE OUT.