DVD Review: The Stoning of Soraya M.

“I want you to take my voice with you.”

Power, manipulation, and love permeate The Stoning of Soraya M., a memorable drama based on a true story from information obtained by French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam, who then authored the 1994 bestselling book of the same name. Cyrus Nowrasteh directs and co-writes the screenplay with his wife Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh. This engaging, tragic plot centers on the events during two consecutive days with a few flashbacks.

Mozhan Marnò stars as the title character who has two daughters, two sons, and a selfish husband who initiates the plot behind the fateful stoning of the title. Soraya mostly conforms with women’s roles in her society while her experienced aunt Zahra, well played by Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, consistently keeps watch over all proceedings in the small town and vigilantly defends her niece. These women have strong roles and incredible moments of pure despair. Aghdashloo shines in yet another strong performance as she drives the main plot with her relationship and respectable stature within the town along with her strong willingness to sacrifice for another in unjust situations.

Navid Negahban plays Soraya’s abusive husband Ali, who seeks a divorce to pursue a younger woman. Ali manipulates and coerces three key town figures: a recent widower named Hashem, played by Parviz Sayyad; the town mayor Ebrahim, played by David Diaan; and the local religious man or Mullah, played by Ali Pourtash.

James Caviezel stars as the journalist Sahebjam who fatefully encounters Zahra in the town. Zahra turns to people she knows the best – or at least who she thinks she knows best as the situation escalates, but now must rely on a foreigner getting his car repaired. Audiences know exactly what they are getting as the title suggests, so it is the journey to that seemingly unthinkable action that drives the plot and engages the audience.

Key points like the filmmakers’ realistic depictions of these events and related justifications by the townsmen invoking God’s law are debatable, but audiences can identify with the basic theme – imposing one’s will unjustly on another for selfish reasons. This unfortunate action occurs everywhere in every culture, which is why the film touches the emotional core and almost cannot be forgotten once viewed.

Supplementary situations and events strongly compliment the actual stoning sequence that lets the visuals do the talking as actor dialogue is kept to a minimum. This compelling act has some twists and unexpected events as the brutal violence is even more impactful through the subtle use of special effects. Audiences might feel even more sympathy for Soraya personally if filmmakers developed her character further, but the obvious focus is raising worldwide awareness of these brutal trials that are often viewed as archaic and inhumane.

Article Author: Tall Writer

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