The Stoning of Soraya M: A Brave New Film on Women's Rights in Iran

We've all watched the events of the past few days in Iran following that nation's elections. Now, a new movie here at home is set to open later this month which will serve as a powerful reminder of exactly what sort of repression they rebel against.

Despite the movie industry's uncanny ability to tell a few powerful, true stories really well year in and year out (2008's Milk, for example), for me, personally, there are few films which are moving in a way that leaves me thinking about them for days afterward. It's that Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List sort of way, when you feel proud and fulfilled for merely having seen it, but also a little emotionally drained from a few scenes which were particularly hard to watch.

I'm quite certain I have just seen another such movie, an extraordinary film titled The Stoning of Soraya M. It is simply one of the most gripping films I've ever watched but. Certainly, it is a story that needs to be told since the barbaric practice of stoning still occurs in our world today -- mostly to women, and mostly in the Middle East.

Knowing this was a true story from 1980's-era Iran based on an international best-seller by the late French journalist, Freidoune Sahebjam, I expected a somewhat partisan, right-leaning film, one at least serving as an overt condemnation of Sharia law, perhaps even strongly enough to be viewed as an affront to Islam itself.

Instead, no such partisan message was apparent in Soraya, which opens June 26th. In fact, the movie -- in which, of course, the defining outcome is known in advance -- was a surprisingly convincing tale of heroism, on both the part of the journalist, Sahebjam, but especially on the part of Soraya's brave aunt, Zahra.

Played by Academy Award® nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (The House of Sand and Fog) in another remarkable performance, the victim's aunt not only displays an inspiring bravery in trying to stand up to the men conspiring against Soraya, but through her own personal strength the character contrasts beautifully against the film's true message: the unequal position of weakness women in such systems find themselves in.

Overall, The Stoning of Soraya M was so well directed that I found some suspense in its development, as I found myself hoping beyond hope that somehow Soraya would be spared from the fate implied in the title.

Meanwhile, adding a strong secondary message about the danger of mob rule were the film's male actors. I have to say the part of Hashem, the widower pushed by the movie's villains into serving as the necessary 2nd witness, was portrayed with a slightly clunky performance. Yet, the two lead villains -- the plotting husband Ali (Navid Negahban) and the lawless mullah who assisted him in condemning Soraya (Ali Pourtash) -- delivered first-rate performances. Never have I so thoroughly despised a movie villain as I did Soraya's husband.

And you will, too, because it's a story about the most profound injustice being carried out against a helpless victim, one who is so plainly innocent.

That innocence, by the way, is portrayed beautifully by actress Mozhan Marno, who as Soraya won't accept her aunt's warnings; she believes instead that nothing so cruel could actually happen to her, even from a husband who so clearly despises her. And in watching the stoning sequence, it is indeed hard to imagine the practice still occurs in our world today.

While the stoning is not easy to watch, the director did a good job of downplaying the graphic nature of the scene while still conveying the fact that such punishment is specifically meant as torture -- rocks must be small enough so as not to deliver death too swiftly, and the process can apparently take many hours to complete. Certainly, the scene had to be shown to do justice to all those victims who have suffered this fate and to accurately portray the immense brutality of this despicable form of punishment.

And that suspense I referred to above? It revolved around what ultimately makes the film so watchable and ultimately uplifting, actually: the process by which this true story reached all of us from a small, remote Iranian village.

Yet the courage it took to get this story out to the world does little good if this film is missed.

Sure, programs like Amnesty International's Campaign to End Stoning are helpful in shedding light on this gruesome practice, but the fact that stoning still occurs today is proof that too few understand its barbarity or frequency.

See the movie when it comes out on June 26th and you'll understand. Women must see it, and keep in mind that by Iran's constitution the life of a female is worth half that of a male. Gays must see it, remembering the horrible repression of homosexuals in such systems -- not just those who have met the fate of stoning. Indeed, for anyone who claims to care about the most basic of human rights, this film is a must.

It just so happens that along with a powerful message which will move you like few others, you'll see a magnificent movie which you'll find impossible to believe was made for less than $5 million. The Stoning of Soraya M is simply one of the most remarkable movies you'll ever lay eyes on, one which should unite audiences of all political persuasions in a simple, human cause.

As the brave Zarha says, "The world must know."

Chip Hanlon is the President of Delta Global Advisors, the founder of greenfaucet.com and the new CEO of Red County.

Comments

[Witkacy]

You've seen fit in this non-review to forget/omit any mention of this film's producer, Stephen McEveety - who brought us not only The Passion of the Christ (hence Jim Cazaviel's role in this film, I'm sure), but has worked with Mel Gibson for many years. McEveety's Mpower Productions is the same outfit, by the way, which also brought us the brilliant (!) wingnut "satire" An American Carol.

The radically right-wing Christian fundamentalists - modern Crusaders, let's call 'em - are no doubt happy to see the free publicity you've provided them through this puff-piece.

[0charles0]

Somewhere around your listing _Saving_Pr­ivate_Ryan­_ as a film that, "you feel proud and fulfilled for merely having seen", you lost me. For another, more balanced, review of this film see:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amnesty-international/sensationalist-film-explo_b_220252.html

The last thing needed while Iranians struggle to define their own future, is sensationalism that paints them as needing our "civilized" intervention.

[NMdonkey]

I was haunted in the same way by the film "Osama," depicting life in Afghanistan under the Taliban.

[NTerryN]

This movie is hard to watch especially the tragic senseless ending. But it has a very important message that the world needs to know about!

[LarryJones1620]

Please join us today Thursday (6/25) at 4pm PST for a live web-chat with writer/director Cyrus Nowrasteh who will field YOUR questions regarding his latest film. Please log onto: http://apps.facebook.com/spinnio/; RSVP on Facebook at:http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=96252118100

[jesfahani]

We need to protect women’s right and human rights everywhere. Please go to www.thestoning.com for a complete listing of theaters near you. Film opens tomorrow!

[Kaz Yeghiazarian]

Abuse of power, Betrayal, Manipulation, and Injustice, the good old
boys club especially when you through the gender discrimination in the
mix! A gruesome story is being delivered through a great
cinematography, amazing cast of talent, and, an in-your-face style.

June 20th 2009, LA Film Festival, the opening night for the movie
unintentionally co-insides with the unrest and turmoil that has started
in Iran. The movie is seeking to deliver a scream about a gruesome
injustice from a remote village in Iran, which undeniably can be
related to what is going on in the whole country right now.

The combination of old veteran and new generation Iranian actors, the
list of talent in this movie is amazing and perhaps challenging for the
director Cyrus Nowrasteh at times! From Vida Ghahremani, a seventy
years veteran actress, pioneer, and Icon in Iran's history of cinema
to, Parviz Sayyad, Ali Pourtash, Navid Negahban, David Diaan, the
stunning duet of Mojhan Marno, and Shohre Aghdashloo, and the list goes on.
However, at the end, director/writer Cyrus Nowrasteh accomplishes
delivery of his vision by masterfully utilizing this amazing pool of
talented cast and crew.
Great film making; brave awareness delivery; I’ll say, it is a must see.

[wizard13]

"I expected a somewhat partisan, right-leaning film, one at least serving as an overt condemnation of Sharia law, perhaps even strongly enough to be viewed as an affront to Islam itself."

I'm don't understand how pointing out that stoning only occurs in Muslim societies under Sharia law is an affront to Islam. Is the truth about a matter now an affront?

[RoyceWright]

Very excited to see the film, I think your review has really put the film in context of its true purpose. I'm planning to see it as soon as I can!

[kathy001]

Thank you for this wonderful review. Because of the subject matter, I'm not actually looking forward to seeing the film. But because of your review, I wouldn't miss it.

[Clavis]

It is mind-boggling to realize that such behavior still exists on Earth. Humanity is barely evolved from our primate ancestry. The urge to keep women subjugated and powerless seems to rear its head in every society -- in America today, you have whole subcultures who believe that their women need to be knocked up constantly from the age of 15, with no education or independent means of support or socialization or ability to protect themselves from abuse. It's monstrous. Thank you for calling more attention to this topic.

[Roya Saberi]

Shohreh is a hero for women in Iran! Thank you Shohreh for never forgeting where your roots are and for supporting us!!

[canadagirl76]

Thank you for taking the time to write this article. I probably wouldn't have known about this film otherwise.

[Chip Hanlon - Huffpost Blogger]

What a gracious star Shohreh Aghdashloo is... check out her interview on the Today Show from Tuesday morning:

http://www.greenfaucet.com/node/8781/play

Fantastic, and so likeable... I'm really hoping this film finds an audience...