Time to Love, A (ATOM Study Guide)

Nine-year-old Babak is an outsider in his own family. His significant physical disability makes caring for him problematic. In addition, Babak's family has neither an understanding of his disability nor his potential. His younger brother, Afshin, is ashamed of him; his father blames his son's handicap when he loses his job; his mother lacks authority and the resources to cope with her son's situation. In order to 'protect' the family, Babak's father sees only one solution: Babak should remain at home in his room – isolated and alone. When Afshin's friend Majid notices this, he tries to help. Majid teaches Babak as best he can but when his attempt to bring Babak to school fails, he tells the teacher the whole truth.

Afshin's teacher visits his parents and, although they resent the interference, they choose to accept her kind offer to tutor Babak. Afshin, embarrassed and disgruntled by the changed circumstances, rejects Majid and continues to deny his brother the love he deserves. In the end, it is Babak's determination, intelligence and unconditional love that reunites a family torn apart by shame and misunderstanding.

Teachers may find the film relevant to units of work for junior and middle secondary students in the following VELS domains:

• English
• The Humanities
• Physical, Personal and Social Learning.