[custom_adv] It took Majid Majidi four months and nearly 4,000 auditions to find the dynamic street children stars of Khorshid (Sun Children), the director’s latest movie premiering Sunday in Venice. [custom_adv] But the five kids lucky enough to be cast — one of whom accompanied Majidi to the prestigious Venice film festival on the Lido — are just a handful of the world’s 152 million street children who face a grim future without society’s intervention, the director said. [custom_adv] “The whole world has this problem — kids who have to work to be able to live and let their families live,” Majidi said. [custom_adv] “Many of these kids are selling items in the streets, or underground. They have the worst conditions, but it’s not limited to Iran, it’s everywhere, unfortunately.” [custom_adv] Despite the heavy subject matter, an adventure story plot and Majidi’s ability to find humanity and humour in the face of adversity help highlight the spirit, intelligence and potential of Majidi’s young subjects. [custom_adv] In the film, 12-year-old Ali (Rouhollah Zamani) and his three friends help support their families through odd jobs, even stealing a tyre or two. One day, they are told a hidden treasure is buried underneath a school for street children. To dig for it, they must enrol. [custom_adv] Majidi said he deliberately sought a light touch, even including unexpected moments of humour that had the audience cheering at a press screening. [custom_adv] “The topics are already very sad, very heavy. So in order to be able to keep the viewers engaged, you don’t need to force them into a heavy, sad situation,” Majidi told AFP, speaking through an interpreter. [custom_adv] Just before departing for the festival, lead actor Zamani tested positive for coronavirus and could not travel, Majidi said, adding that the youngster was fine, though disappointed.