REVIEW: ‘Stoning of Soraya M.’ Deserved Some Academy Attention
by Joe BendelA film that won the NAACP’s Image Award for Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture and was the toast of the right-leaning blogosphere (including your very own Big Hollywood) would sound like it must have reached the broadest-based audience a film could hope for. Yet, it was essentially shut-out during the rest of the recent award season and was sadly neglected by the critical community. That is because Cyrus Nowrasteh’s The Stoning of Soraya M. boldly addresses a controversial topic: the appalling lack of rights granted to women in the Islamist world.
The United Nations estimates as many as 5,000 Islamic women fall victim to so-called “honor killings” every year. Whether reported or not, each instance is an appalling crime, utterly incompatible with any concept of honor. It is the true nature of such honor killings Nowrasteh and his co-screenwriter (and wife) Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh graphically dramatize in the viscerally intense The Stoning of Soraya M., which richly deserves to be revisited now that it has been released on DVD.
Freidoune Sahebjam was a French-Iranian journalist who exposed many of the Islamic Revolutionary regime’s human rights abuses. When passing through a provincial town, a chance encounter with Zahra, a sophisticated older woman of the Shah’s secular era, leads to the biggest story of his career. Just the day before, her niece Soraya was gruesomely executed for the crime of inconveniencing her husband. As Sahebjam interviews Zahra, she bears witness to the terrible injustice that befell Soraya.
Zahra explains the abusive Ali wanted a divorce, so he could marry the fourteen year old girl he lusted after. However, he did not want to financially support Soraya or their two daughters. Of course, none of this violates Islamic notions of honor according to the local mullah. Rather than live up to his obligations, Ali conspired with the mullah to falsely accuse Soraya of adultery. In post-Revolutionary Iran, this was clearly the easiest (and cheapest) course of action for him. After all, as the town’s mayor explicitly explains, if a husband accuses his wife of adultery, she must prove her innocence, but if a wife accuses her husband, she must prove his guilt.
Given the film’s title and the framing device, it is no secret where Stoning will end. It is not called the Narrow Escape of Soraya M., after all. However, Nowrasteh (the Iranian-American writer and producer of The Path to 9/11) creates such a sense of mounting horror, it seems like the actual stoning will come as a relief. And then it happens.
Stoning is Soraya’s story, but it is Shohreh Aghdashloo’s film. The Oscar-nominated Iranian-American actress gives a powerful, fearless performance as Zahra. Not simply the film’s noble conscience, she is a nuanced, fully realized character—an intelligent, assertive, but ultimately vulnerable woman in a society which grants her no legal standing. As Soraya, Mozhan Marnò avoids simply playing the innocent victim, investing her with surprising inner strength and resolution. While only briefly seen during the wrap-around segments, Jim Caviezel is nearly unrecognizable but surprisingly effective as the intrepid Sahebjam.
Re-watching Stoning on DVD, one is also struck by the work of David Diaan as Ebrahim, the town’s mayor, who reluctantly allows the stoning to proceed. It is a quiet, perfectly pitched performance that conveys the all too human failings of cowardice, guilt, and resentment in a time of moral crisis.
Filmed on location at an undisclosed Middle East locale, Stoning completely immerses the audience in its forbidding world. It was not an easy shoot either, according to the more interesting than usual behind-the-scenes DVD extra featurette. It is an uncompromising film, fueled by outrage, but also a truly moving human drama. Aghdashloo deserved to be in Hollywood last weekend as an Oscar nominee (again), but alas . . . At least Stoning now has a chance to reach on DVD. Highly recommended, Stoning is a rare example of both genuinely bold filmmaking and compelling storytelling.
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66 Comments
Every woman in this country should watch this movie….these women have NO CHOICE about anything in their lives…we are very lucky
This is so right. You could make the best movie ever and if it has anything about Islam that's derogatory in the slightest they treat the product like it's radioactive. I guess they're afraid Jihad Jane or Jihad Jamie might show up at their mansion and try and off them.
LOVED this film, and was absolutely shocked that it did not get more attention. I find it very interesting that even women's groups barely noticed this film…what about Hilary Clinton's mission to promote women's right around the world? I guess the only woman's right to groups lke NOW is the right for unfettered abortion.
In a similar fashion, I am surprised that Aayaan Hirsi Ali's story does not get more attention – she too is a hero to civilized people everywhere.
Speaking of "stoning," there is a great cartoon titled "The Stoning of Sarah Palin" at http://drawfortruth.wordpress.com/category/media-...
Liberals love to talk about women's rights yet they ignore how women are treated in the world of the Middle-East and Muslims. This ignorance will be their downfall.
This film puts Hollywood in an awkward poistion which is why it went unrewarded at oscar time. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" applies to the left. They are put into a position of criticizing islamists when these same people have so nobly fought against their true enemy (George Bush and the U.S. military.) Better for them to just ignore it. The only other theory is: "If the right wing blogosphere loved it, how can it have value?" Oscars have zero to do with merit.
Willfull ignorance… another stone in the downfall of the leftist feminist.
The double-troof, roof! At the very least, Stoning… was deservedly recognized at the Movie Guide Awards (as were The Blind Side and Up).
Feminist groups by and large ignore this movie and the continued practice of stoning, as well as honor killings, because multiculturalism always trumps feminism.
If for no other reason, it should be rented/bought to support Jim Caviezel, who has basically been blacklisted in Hollywood for playing Jesus in 'Passion of the Christ." Once one of the hottest young actors in Hollywood is now barely seen anymore.
The only "rights" Neo-Comms care about in regards to women is that they abort every single one of their babies.
So great to see you contributing here Joe. 'Soraya M.' is a powerful film on many levels and I do hope with the recent DVD release, audiences will discover it.
A side story, when I first saw the movie last June, I had the privilege of meeting Navid Negahban, who played Soraya's husband 'Ali'. A wicked performance. Standing out on the sidewalk of the theatre in Pasadena, the man couldn't have been more gracious with me. A true gentleman. I thanked him for his brave work, which he said meant so much to him. He then shared a story of how when certain members of his family in Iran learned of his participation in the film, he was told, they wanted nothing more to do with him. Just stunned me. I'll never forget that night and those moments with this incredible man. For those who may be interested:
http://www.navidnegahban.com/
I am grateful for his performance along with the rest of the cast, and all who brought 'Soraya M.' to the screen.
http://www.navidnegahban.com/
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I'm really not surprized this movie was not talked about during the Oscar campaign season then ignored when the statues were handed out – no one wants to talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the room; the one who will kill you and threaten to start a holy war for criticizing thier beliefs.
The Academy and most of Hollywood will try to skirt the truths of Islam but will leap to attack the Catholic Church or Christians in general.
The likelihood of a car bomb parked outside of a movie studio by a Christian is beyond miniscuely small compared to the likelihood of such an act by an "offended" Muslim.
or is it willfull indifference D.wolf…
Hollywood will ignore the stones right on up until they are on the receiving end of them. Then it will be too late.
likely both.
The reason that liberals won't take a stand against muslim atrocities against women is that it might lead them into a situation where force might appear to be justified. There is not enough testosterone on the left to risk such a dilemma.
Islam is scary to women and is scary to castrated men. It is easier for them to look the other way then it is to make a stand.
Other faiths are ridiculed regularly by the left and it speaks highly of the peaceful aspect of those faiths.
Westfrat.com
I'm glad to see Netflix add it to their instant play so quickly.
They would rather nominate the performance of Carey Mulligan (about an underage girl's affair with a much older man) for Best Actress than the performance of Shohreh Aghdashloo — bah, SA already had a nomination, right? It's more important to condone pedophilia than to recognize the terrible plight of women in these situations…
Same here Chris…I saw it last night after hearing so much about it. It is an excellent movie. Strong acting by the two leading lady characters.
It was sickening to see the evil perpetrated against Soraya. All Liberals should be forced to watch this movie.
Amen and this is the pickle those that preach peace, love and "non-violence". What do you do when someone does not listen to reason? They haven't been able to answer that and it twists them up into knots so they deflect attention to the latest "conservative evil-doer" of the week.
Quick question…is it in English or Farsi?
So where's Code Pink et al? Ahhh, yes, blathering on about the horrors of the US. Easy enough with the protection of the US military.
I wouldn't mind if that Jodi freak took a U-turn somewhere in the middle of Afghanistan.
She doesn't get the attention she deserves because she's conservative, politically incorrect, and on the right–all anathema to the birdbrains on the left who suck up to the anti-Israel, anti-semitic, anti-religious, anti-conservative left.
Passion is another movie that was completey overlooked by the Oscars.
heavy-handed torture-porn. What a waste of two hours and Shoreh Aghdashloo's talents. But, if that's your poison …
Apparently, there is an over-abundance of testosterone on the right that got us into Iraq. Here, here.
Is that right before the apocalypse?
I did and it's two hours I'll never get back.
No, Colette, Jenny (Carey Mulligan) in "An Education" wasn't "underage" when she slept with David, the older man in question. You used that term incorrectly. Age of consent laws where the film takes place (England) regarding the sexual activity (heterosex) in question was 16 at the time the film takes play (1961). Jenny turned 17 the night she first had intercourse.
And, please don't try rationalizing your ignorance to me. Thank you in advance.
I'll restrain from 'forcing' anybody from watching anything and insist they do the same.
Every despot like Hussein should be removed from power. If the world would act in concert, learning from the lessons we acknowledged after WW2, there would be no more dictators like Saddam Hussein. Today's effeminate political class does not have the fortitude to respond to this challenge.
When the decision was made to attack Iraq the UN believed Saddam had WMD, Saddam had bragged that he had WMD, the CIA believed he had WMD, MI-5 believed he had WMD, the Clintons believed he had WMD, congress (both parties) believed he had WMD… it wasn't Bush's fault the he believed it too. Indeed, there was such a belief that Iraq was a threat that Bush would have been negligent not to take action… especially after 9-11.
Where America erred was in the way we fought the war. It should have been over in a year with only a percent of the pain and suffering. But we didn't fight it with the robustness to win it in a year.
Why did Bush and his people only give it a half-arsed effort (after the initial invasion)? It was because those on the Left started hobbling the war effort from almost Day 1. A long, drawn out conflict is typically much more destructive and bloodier then a decisive win.
Again it comes back to a lack of testosterone influence in our nation's decision making. This story might seem like it happens in a different planet to most western viewers but if you look at demographics Europe (and Canada) are not far from Islamic government. Who will stand against the Jihadi Sin Police when they come knocking at our doors? It won't be GI Jane, she'll be hunkered down in her burqa.
In 50 years or so western society (especially women) might be wishing that they had let their males behave like men. Because the only thing that will hold back the flood of Islamic fascism, that is sweeping the world, will be brute force.
The Stoning of Soraya M………………is propagandistic crap that is setting the stage for war against Iran.
We have no right to expect Iranian culture to be a clone of ours.
If the Islamists attempted to force Sharia down out throats I would willingly kill every one possible including prisoners, and depending on the situation, the idea of torture bothers me not at all.
That being said; Leave Iran alone.
If we want to strike a blow against the Islamists, let us export, deport or otherwise exile all Muslims.
I have studied the Islamic texts for over eight years, and trust me, muslims are suited to live only in muslim cultures: They are unassimilable, and half the reason they are unassimilable is Islamic women.
The Stoning of Soraya M………………is propagandistic crap that is setting the stage for war against Iran.
We have no right to expect Iranian culture to be a clone of ours.
If the Islamists attempted to force Sharia down out throats I would willingly kill every one possible including prisoners, and depending on the situation, the idea of torture bothers me not at all.
That being said; Leave Iran alone.
If we want to strike a blow against the Islamists, let us export, deport or otherwise exile all Muslims.
I have studied the Islamic texts for over eight years, and trust me, muslims are suited to live only in muslim cultures: They are unassimilable, and half the reason they are unassimilabl is Islamic women.
"When the decision was made to attack Iraq …"
I'm not everybody. I didn't believe it, nor did millions of other Americans and neither did a small contingent of Congress.
"Where America erred was in the way we fought the war."
Exactly. We weren't ready and the administration insisted that there wasn't any time left. Again, I was not against going into Iraq. I was against the bill of goods most everyone was buying into. I was against the arrogance of short-sightedness of the plan and the expectation that everyone was going to open their arms to us.
And, if you're going to blame Bush' half-arsed initial failure on the left, you are sad. Was the lack of "brute force" behind our failure in Vietnam too? The men in "Stoning" used brute force. Look where it gets them.
European demographics are "not far" form Islamic government? Whatever you're smoking, please pass in my direction, because it sounds like some good shiz and it's been a long day.
I'm actually learning Farsi…so I'm looking forward to it
Vince,
Reread my post. I never claimed everybody believed it. But the groups I listed DID believe it and I can add the EU to the list too. If you don't believe me, do a search on YouTube and you will see just how many people believed Hussein was a threat that needed to be dealt with.
The way Bush fought the war was a travesty. You'll get no argument out of me. But it is very much the fault of the LEFT that the war has lasted as long as it has. When you have half of the government wanting our side to lose, it can do nothing but prolong the war. We're lucky it didn't sabotage the effort entirely.
And, though I know it probably goes against your emasculated sensibilities, force is what wins wars. Brute force wins them faster. When war starts the time for negotiation has passed. The quicker that one side wins, the better for both sides. Brute force is such an un-politically correct term that I understand why it gets your panties in a wad.
With a name like Vince I'm assuming that you were born with a pair. Try to re-establish contact with them.
Pull your head out long enough to do a little research on European demographics. You are in for a shock.
Indeed, if it wasn't for the growing number of large islamic families migrating to Europe, just about every country would have negetive population growth. They'd be like California!
Right Charlotte. America Alone, by Mark Steyn is a great read and a real eye opener. Natives to Western Europe have had a negative population growth for years meanwhile muslim populations are exploding. When muslims populations are great enough they will be able to gain control of governments through democratic processes. Once in power they can change the law into anything they desire.
Yeah, Passion was only nominated for 3 Oscars. It should have won three million Oscars. And Jim Caviezel has totally been blacklisted. He's only starred in five Hollywood films since Passion, not counting this movie.
Hi, you conservatives are so absolutely stupid, it's beyond belief. I'm a liberal Atheist who can tell the Christians and Jews on this that yes, Islam sucks as a religion, but only a little bit more than your religions. Yes, honor killings are abhorrent, yes Islam treats women horribly. Thankfully Christianity and Judaism ignore the worst parts of their horrible scriptures. And since all the logic in the world hasn't convinced you morons to throw away your scriptures, maybe the best we can hope for from Muslims is that like you they ignore the worst. Check out evilbible.com to remind yourselves of the OT & NT that you like to pretend isn't there. God encourages the rape and slaughter of innocents throughout. And most of the Muslims I've known thankfully ignored the worst their religions have to offer. To me one completely irrational system of belief isn't that much different from another. We should of course attack the horrible treatment of women wherever it exists. But it doesn't take a conservative to point this out. You're the ones discouraging the use of condoms and yet only too glad to make abortion illegal. If I were to point out horrible deeds done by Christians–in the name of their religion–you'd ignore the data. Thanks to American Evangelicals, the Ugandan government considered making homosexual activity a capital offense.
I hate to say it but I agree. Islam cannot coexist peacefully with other belief systems. The Koran is very clear on the subject…
http://westfrat.com/wordpress/?p=67
Islam is at war with the world. Almost every non-muslim nation that shares a border with Islam is at war with insurgents or at war with their Islamic neighbors. Islamic fascism is a threat to the entire world.
THE MENTION OF UGANDA AND AMERICAN INFLUENCE IS NOT TRUE. THIS COUNTRY EXPERIENCED A HOMOSEXUAL KING WHO SODOMIZED YOUNG BOYS. TWO CHRISITIAN BOYS REFUSED TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM AND HE HAD THEM BURNED AT THE STAKE. UGANDA REMEMBERS THIS HISTORY!!! NOTHING TO DO WITH AMERICA. ALSO, SIN IS A GREAT DESTRUCTION AGAINST MAN, GOD GAVE HIS SON TO REDEEM MAN FROM THE CURSE OF FALLEN NATURE AND NOW WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW WHICH DID RECOMMEND STONING TO PEOPLE WHO PRACTISCED HOMOSEX, ADULTERY, KILLING. CHRIST FORGAVE US AND DIED FOR OUR SINS BECAUSE WE DECIDED TO WORSHIP SATAN, THE ORIGINAL FALLEN BEING. YOU CAN NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL UNDER THE LAW AND UNDER THE CURSE. ASK CHRIST INTO YOUR LIFE AND HE WILL UNRAVEL THE BIBLE FOR YOU THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT AND THEN YOU WILL BE BORNED AGAIN AND SAVED FROM THE WRATH OF GOD WHICH IS COMING AGAIN SOON. THE WORD STATES THAT MOCKERS WILL COME IN THE LAST DAYS AS WELL AS EARTHQUAKES AND AS IN THE DAY OF NOAH SO SHALL THE COMING OF THE SON OF GOD!!!! MAY CHRIST COME INTO YOUR LIFE!!
Hope you love subtitles.
win back your ex…
Great post, thanks for taking time to write this….
This powerful film was hard to watch the ending maybe the most horrendous thing I ever saw in film. It should have won an award and should have been more widley distributed, only one theather in the whole Tampa Bay area showed it. I guess it kind of conflicts with the Islam is a Religion of Peace thing the media is trying to push on us as they denegrate Israel and empower Iran.
I'm sure these people would love nothing better than having Madonna burried up to her waist with her fake nose cone boobs on.
Exactly. When you insult Christians they usually just stop doing business with you. These other folks have a much more rigorous form of boycott.
I bought a copy at Amazon. Primarily to support the team that made this excellent picture.
I'm pretty sure this person is really a Conservative just trying to get everyone riled up. No way is there anyone really this stupid.
Actually in my day to day life, I'm completely happy, and I'm completely content to know that yes, indeed, when I die I shall become fertilizer. As shall all of you who think there's some perfect Disneyland you'll be going to. Guess what, if God made this Earth, there's plenty of evidence he's not capable of making anything better. That means a perfect Heaven can not exist. But back to the main point…quoting some part of the Bible about love does not magically negate all of the hatred and killing in the Bible. Anyone defending the Qur'an could do the same thing. But of course you would quote the worst parts of the Qur'an, which is entirely appropriate. Do you not see you're in the same boat as the Muslims? The good news is we all get to be fertilizer together, some just don't want to come to terms with the finality of death. Oh, and remember, love your enemies!
Will Christ enter my life in ALL CAPS? Joan, that's a sure sign you've lost a debate, when you have to SHOUT. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/04/world/africa/04... It is indeed a true story of Christian hatred. But don't forget to kill people who work on the Sabbath, wear clothes made of two types of fabric, etcetera. I hope you don't eat any shellfish, Joan. As for Christ, he totally has my address and can enter my house any day he wants. But because I'm not mentally ill, it hasn't happened yet.
In all seriousness, I hope you find the peace you seek. And how to undo the CAPS LOCK.
I've read the Bible all the way through several times. Where's the part about raping innocents?
Thanks Joan.. Romans 13:9, the commandments, "do not commit adultery,Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself" Love does no harm to it's neighbor.Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Why are atheists soooo angry all the time? I would be too if I knew that I was just going to be fertilizer when I leave this world.
Where is all this "hatred and killing" supposedly in the Bible? I do see killing, but motivation appears to be largely territorial/political rather than "hate crimes"? Also, the historical books of the Bible report ….history and may or may not condone any particular action.
And this is relevant to the powerful & moving movie how?
BTW, most all of the "hatred" in the Biblical stories was focused on the Jews, Old Testament, or the Christians, New Testament.
I'll venture a WAG that the number of people murdered in the name of Islam is a factor of 10 higher than those murdered in the name of Christiananity.
BTW 2, I find it more than amusing you're as adamant in your non-belief as any believer in a supreme being is in their's. Why does their belief so threaten your life. Of course the greatest mass murderers of all time shared your belief system, just gotta live with it! Expletive deleted!
I guess you skipped Judges 21:10-24; Numbers 31: 7-18; Deuteronomy 20:10-14 and others. Of course in some instances apologists will try to claim that the virgins were taken as willing wives, but what woman would marry a man whose tribe just killed her mother, married sisters, brothers and father–I'm specifically referencing the Numbers section above in which God becomes angry that they didn't kill the women who had known a man. Let's assume there is a real God, it wouldn't be wise to attack a real God. Wait, suddenly I can't move my legs. Just kidding. But the God of the Bible is clearly a tribes attempt to defend previous actions. Soldiers back then–and unfortunately to this day–raped the women of the conquered tribes. Such is war. And the God of the Bible is used throughout to defend this horrible practice. The Old Testament says if you rape a woman, you have to marry her. Deuteronomy 22:28-29. Any women reading this willing to marry their rapist? Any man here willing to take your daughter's rapist as your future son-in-law after he pays you fifty pieces of silver? The big picture is Christianity and Judaism, like Islam, are primitive religions. I'm glad that no one here is going to defend rape and murder. But don't think you have much up on Islam.
More clips…
Now let’s put together several shorts….
Actually I ask you to check out evilbible.com and read the quotes, which you can independently find at any bible website. It is clear that in many sections of the Bible, God commands the killing of innocent people–often other tribes. Anything God commands is not just "historical" from any religious perspective. Did I use the term "hate crimes"? I don't care if it was territorial/political or what. It's wrong to kill thousands of people at a time, much less one.
I didn't just hijack the comments on this movie out of the blue. It's clear that the subtext of a lot of the comments are that Islam is this horrible religion in contrast to Christianity & Judaism. And I am saying objectively that Christianity & Judaism are equally (or almost equally) horrible religions. I'm not sure, is a WAG a type of currency. You really want to bet that Islam has killed ten times as many as Christianity? I'm currently trying to raise a WAG. Give it time, Christianity has about a 700 year head start on killing. But let's say I count the Indians and non-Mormons wiped out by Mormons as just one tiny incident. Your natural reaction is going to be that that killing wasn't motivated by true Christianity. And I say to you that almost every time someone is killed by an Islamic person, the vast majority of Muslims will say it wasn't done in the name of True Islam. Some mass murderers where definitely Atheists. Hitler was born and died a Christian. Did Hitler kill because he was a good Christian? No, of course not. But Christians had been teaching horrible things about Jews for hundreds of years and most of the people involved with the Holocaust went Christians whose beliefs told them Jews were a terrible fallen race. I don't care what anyone thinks or does in their own home or church. But the reason most Americans didn't give a second thought to the Iraq war, as an example, is because we're only killing Muslims. They are viewed as sub-humans by people on the Far Right and many Conservative Christians agree with this view. DId Anne Coulter suffer at ALL for saying we should convert 'em or kill 'em. The far right's religious views have cost me one trillion in tax dollars so far. And please, don't swear, miked. That ain't nice!
I thought I had missed it. So I reread it, and Lo and Behold, you found words that aren't there. Common mistake. Numbers 31 doesn't mention rape. You have to read that in. Deut 20 is quite explicit that female war captives were taken as servants. You left out Deut 21, which gives direct protection to female captives from rape. Read it. The laws of deut 21 would certainly be applied in the Numbers 31 situation. It offers a level of protection unknown among ancient peoples. Of course, the story in Judges isn't approved by God at all. You have to read things in context, not from web sites. The point of the story in Judges is that :"everyone did what was right in his own eyes." You are free to criticize the Bible, but just a tiny bit of fairness would go a long way.
Just saw Stoning last night. I admire every actor in it. Besides great performances, every one of them might now have to always be looking over their sholders. These men and women are the reason why our freedom of speech is necessary.
While watching, I kept remarkng to myself what a great asshole the Navid Negahban character was. I'll bet, especially given the logic of this fim, that Negahban's family in Iran had no choice but to disown him. And probably he knew that going in.
This movie needs to be shown in universities in place of Al Gore and Michael Moore's greedy propaganda.
Superb website…
[...]always a big fan of linking to bloggers that I love but don’t get a lot of link love from[...]……
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