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The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008)

Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh

Time Out rating

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4 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out London

Journalist Freidoune Sahebjam’s non-fiction bestseller documented a horrific capital punishment under Sharia law in 1986 Iran. This US-made film adaptation reconstructs the same case, when an innocent woman was stoned to death based on the false claims of her husband and complicit local mullah, and argues that such practices continue today. To call this an emotive subject is an understatement, but for all its laudable intentions, the film lets its eagerness to stoke up indignation get the better of any sober study of lynch-mob mentality. Creating such obvious male villains results in a ‘bad apple’ analysis which weakens the impact, while the stoning sequence goes beyond dramatic heightening into lip-smacking spectacle. Shohreh Aghdashloo gives a persuasive performance as the widow trying to protect unjustly accused Soraya (Mozhan Marnò), yet the film’s limited (but not ineffective) approach equates winning arguments with pushing buttons.

Author: Trevor Johnston

Time Out London Issue 2096: October 21 – 27m 2010

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User reviews of this film

farnosuh said...

Posted on Oct 06 2011 23:11 What exactly is this review going on about. Has he actually seen this movie, which is the 100% truth that goes on in many parts of my beloved country. Yes, these things do happen, wake up mr so called reviewer, Iran is a beautiful country run by thugs. The government is utterly corrupt, and no, women dont have rights, specially those living in villages or rural parts.
This movie is based on a true story for god sake, you need to go back to uni and get a proper reality check cause quite frankly, what you've written here is full of s***.

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Martin Woodsford said...

Posted on May 22 2011 17:55 I don't know which movie the Time Out reviewer was watching but it wasn't this one Two Stars! This gets five from me. It is powerful, shocking and horrific. I have bought this movie to show my teenage nephews. I believe it is a film everyone should see if only to witness the barbarity of Sharia Law.

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Gabriella Apicella said...

Posted on Oct 22 2010 23:37 I am appalled at this review. Having seen this film at a press screening myself I can only say that I find it laughable that your reviewer finds the male villains "obvious". He seems to have failed to notice that the film is a faithful adaptation of real incidents - these are not constructed characters and the fact, no matter how abhorrent or "obvious" speak for themselves! Never before have I seen a film that so powerfully has moved me to action. So much so that I am now in the process of organising a series of screenings in association with UK Feminista and Amnesty International of films that concerns the right of women worldwide that consistently fail to get the distribution they deserve and require, This film is both a work of filmic art as well as social importance, and its power must not be underestimated by those who cannot bear the truth of what is involved in its subject matter. This film must be seen, Go, Watch. Make up your own mind.

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Gabriella Apicella said...

Posted on Oct 22 2010 02:41 I am appalled at this review. Having seen this film at a press screening myself I can only say that I find it laughable that your reviewer finds the male villains "obvious". He seems to have failed to notice that the film is a faithful adaptation of real incidents - these are not constructed characters and the fact, no matter how abhorrent or "obvious" speak for themselves! Never before have I seen a film that so powerfully has moved me to action. So much so that I am now in the process of organising a series of screenings in association with UK Feminista and Amnesty International of films that concerns the right of women worldwide that consistently fail to get the distribution they deserve and require, This film is both a work of filmic art as well as social importance, and its power must not be underestimated by those who cannot bear the truth of what is involved in its subject matter. This film must be seen, Go, Watch. Make up your own mind.

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