A Separation (2011)
Mild themes and coarse language
| Director: | Asghar Farhadi |
| Actors: | Peyman Moaadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini, Sarina Farhadi, Ali-Asghar Shahbazi |
Please note that this is a Farsi (Persian) language film with English subtitles.
Winner of the 2012 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this utterly compelling Iranian drama depicts the lies and intrigue that come into play in the wake of a married couple’s separation. The film focuses on the Nader and Simin, who live with their eleven-year-old daughter Termeh in Tehran. Not exactly out-of-love, Nader and Simin are attempting to divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. With visas to emigrate from Iran, Simin is anxious to ensure a better future for Termeh, but Nader refuses to leave his elderly father. When the judge refuses to formalise their separation, Simin departs the family home, leaving Nader to hire a housekeeper. Razieh is a devout woman who tends to the apartment and Nader's father. When Nader returns one day to find his father alone, it leads to an altercation that has unexpected consequences. Propelled by an acute attention to class, religious and gender differences, director Farhadi's meticulous script questions the very basis of truth and ethics. At its heart, A Separation is a gripping, humane drama that recalls classic Hitchcock in its twists and turns.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 123mins |
| Origin: | ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN |
| Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 |
Won't somebody think of the children?
by Simon Miraudo, 31/07/2011 10:59:00 AM
Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation takes us on a complex emotional journey, as we watch decent, well-meaning people get tangled up in their little white lies with disastrous results. The film begins with Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) pleading their case for divorce before a judge. Well, only Simin is pleading. She wants to move away from Iran, yet he wants to remain to care for his Alzheimer’s ridden father. Slicing the marriage in half is the only reasonable solution they can come to – even if it breaks their hearts. It’s one of those cases where neither party is wrong, making the ordeal all the more painful to watch. The biggest victim is their 11-year-old daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi), who is continually asked to choose between her two parents. Simin moves in with he...
Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation takes us on a complex emotional journey, as we watch decent, well-meaning people get tangled up in their little white lies with disastrous results. The film begins with Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) pleading their case for divorce before a judge. Well, only Simin is pleading. She wants to move away from Iran, yet he wants to remain to care for his Alzheimer’s ridden father. Slicing the marriage in half is the only reasonable solution they can come to – even if it breaks their hearts. It’s one of those cases where neither party is wrong, making the ordeal all the more painful to watch.
The biggest victim is their 11-year-old daughter Termeh (Sarina Farhadi), who is continually asked to choose between her two parents. Simin moves in with her folks, leaving Nader to hire someone to come care for his father while he’s at work. The successful applicant is Razieh (Sareh Bayat) – although the pay is low and the commute far, she needs the money for her debt-ridden husband, young daughter and new baby on the way. The exhausting requirements of the job take a physical toll on the devout Islam woman (she phones an elder to advise her whether or not it is a sin to clean the old man’s private parts). Off camera, she makes a poor decision that sets off a chain of events fraught with tragedy, leading Razieh and her husband (Shahab Hosseini) to take on Nader and Simin in a legal battle (the details of which I won’t spoil). Through it all, the kids begin to see their parents in a new, unpleasant light. Won’t somebody think of the children?!
I want to compare the film to Woody Allen’s Manhattan; another ensemble relationship drama where the setting is as integral to their interactions as the very actions they take. Of course, this is no satire or even a comedy (although writer/director Farhadi’s screenplay is deeply felt and tender enough to indulge in the occasional comic moment). It is a drama, but it’s never overwrought or melodramatic. It’s tender, and real, yet the conflicts still have massive implications for all involved. It resonates deeply thanks to its universality, which it miraculously achieves without ever once selling out the social mores of its location. Profoundly affecting, wonderfully performed and endlessly surprising, A Separation is one of the year's best.
5/5
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Member Reviews (43)
43 Member
Reviews
Larry
says
Great acting and storyline. However, the translation is haphazard and intermittent, which makes it hard to understand all the nuances.
says
Powerful film making. This does require the viewer to relax and adjust to a different culture. There are a lot of angry people in this film, all of them adults. The actual separation is not the central issue. It is about how people get into problematic situations and how they struggle to resolve them. It is about children being aware and adults not really appreciating them. Parents putting their children into difficult situations. Not an easy film to watch but worthwhile.
PoetLaurieate
says
We only saw the first 30 mins and then gave up. It's a depressing tale anyway - one about divorce but it's also subtitled from Arabic and appears to be just two people arguing.
spotlight
says
This 2012 Oscar winner would be very worth seeing as a companion piece to Argo showing what life is like in modern Iran and what the political atmosphere of the late 1970s early 1980s has led to for its population. Well acted real human drama - the decision of the young girl is not shown at the end but perhaps that is the point. It shows the constant tension people live under in that country.
says
Yep. Good. Really good.
Senorita K
says
An insight to another culture, very interesting movie
Ana
says
Pleasant and watchable. Nice little tale, perhaps reserved for a Sunday afternoon. Subtitles were a little fast and had my finger on the pause button throughout the movie just to read them. Or maybe I'm a little slow?
Jordi
says
Excellent movie. It won the Academy Award for best foreign movie.
Ron
says
This is brilliant cinema, I could not leave the seat all through, rivetting. Continuity was brilliant, no real jumps, felt as if all in one shot almost. Detailed storyline, all plausible and gel'd beautifully. And such a human story .... our frailties. I think all lied and no one could be blamed for doing so. In the closing scene did the young lady chose between her parents, did her parents reconcile and stay with her, did they migrate or remain? This one will stick to the ribs. I want to know.
clowntotheleft
says
A slice of life drama that may test the patience of some. Great believable performances across the cast and a great insight into another countries justice systems.
says
Different from what I expected but it was entertaining enough to watch the whole movie. I almost gave up several times. It was ok.
Bruce
says
An Iranian story of separation. Complicated through an incident that happens between the male leads father and his carer. A great insight into Iranian life, a touching story that has enough tension to keep you interested through to the end.
Mary B
says
Interesting movie with subtitles..worth watching
kate
says
Incredible performances in this film. It is a marvelous movie.
movielover2012
says
very interesting drama from Iran. a bit unusual. excellent story. a bit sad, but feels like real life, not fancy hollywood blockbuster. interesting cultural insight into country otherwise I would never know anything of.
Dave S.
says
I expected this to be one of those critically-acclaimed films where I respect the artistry involved but admire it from a distance, like an oil painting. Instead I was thoroughly engrossed by this fantastically constructed drama, which starts simply enough but becomes more layered and multi-faceted as it continues. Farhadi manages to comment on class, honor, marriage and the justice system, but without letting any one element overwhelm the film. A great achievement.
says
Subtitles were intermittent - could not follow - very weird!
says
much better than I expected. Very different from the description. Wish they had given more closure with the ending.
says
Excellent performances and the storyline ended up being about something quite different from what I expected. However, I dread unresolved storylines with too many questions left up in the air and for this reason, I almost rated it "bad".
Felicity
says
Very emotional. Excellent acting.
Nigel
says
A separated couple find the going tough in more ways than one. An Iranian movie that shows more maturity and insight into life issues faced by families than most Western films dealing with similar issues put together. The other thing which makes this film standout is that it doesn’t offer easy answers and is multi-layered.
says
Very interesting glimpse of Iranian society. Found it a little slow and the story wasn't very inspiring. Didn't really have any deep meaning or intrigue
s.k.
says
Superb film, excellent performances and a fine director.
Liz C
says
Be prepared for a real talkie. This one is all character driven but it's fascinating none the less. This is basically a story of a break up and how it affects the extended family and hired help. Things happen that you don't see on screen and it adds to the intrigue. I was most interested in life on the streets of Tehran though. A wonderful glimpse into Iranian life. I'd recommend only if you're up for dialogue.
says
Not a feel good movie but quality work and enjoyable to watch. I was most interested in the glimpses the movie gave of the Iranian lifestyle, education system and legal system.
says
Moving and an interesting view of where uncontrolled anger can get you.
LP
says
Unfortunately the disc was faulty. Nevertheless what I saw of the movie showed it as very depressing and 'typical' of a husband/wife splitup, which is overshadowed by the husband feeling obliged to care for his senile father in the family home, the wife not caring for that at all (somewhat justifiably), and seeing her selfishly trying to take their child from him and take off for better pastures. The carer the husband engages is not up to the task and this causes more problems than they all can handle. Not enjoyable viewing
Art S.
says
Serious melodrama from Iran (winner of the best foreign film Oscar last year) that is also a mystery story, a courtroom drama, a Rashomon-like tale of multiple conflicting viewpoints, and a reflection on lying, truth, and morality. Shot in a style more appropriate for documentaries captured on the fly (which is also a strategy used by other Iranians in the past, such as Kiarostami), Asghar Farhadi conceals telling details from us even as he chooses to show other intimate moments. This is after all a view into a relationship that is falling apart. Often heart and gut wrenching but nevertheless intellectually teasing, this time Oscar got it right.
says
EXCELLENT MOVIE, GREAT ACTING BY ALL THE CAST.
ENDING UNSATISFYING THOUGH
Gail
says
Geoff@gol
says
One for the movie buffs. Firstly SUBTITLES they are ok but detract as you would expect from the powerful story about relationship between a husband and wife, however you still you get the message. Started off very slowly, be patient, set in Tehran which was very interesting in its self, seeing the different standard of living, the hardships, and the strong religious culture. Once into the story it really held your interest, the injustice sometimes of the chaotic court system, the pressure that can be applied to witnesses, the acceptance of blood money, and the love a son has for his Father. The importance of telling the truth to some. All quality drama. I will not spoil the ending but I was a little disappointed. In summary recommended for a DIFFERENT night's entertainment.
Mary
says
Another excellent foreign film which really gave an insight into how people of all ethnicities and religions face similar problems in their personal relationships. It just seems that in their particular culture/religion things can be a bit harder, although no doubt the way "justice" is meted out sometimes works better than the court system in the western world.
Janet
says
Superb. Beautifully constructed drama about a family under pressure in a society gone 'mad'.
says
This film is a powerful, complex and thought provoking Iranian drama, and to my mind, a must see.
says
Very good
Something very different but a nice story
Slow but very well made
jane
says
I really enjoyed this movie, very well acted , interesting story line, and the best part it was different. If you want a change from American rubbish, you will like this.
Brown Eyes
says
Totally insufficient sub-titles. Gave up as no idea what going on.
says
A heavy tale that is well acted and filmed
Jan
says
Compelling viewing! brilliant script, a must see
gerd
says
Wife leaves husband, but with unintended consequences. Where this movie is going doesn't become clear for a long while until it becomes a legal matter. At that stage there are various perceptions of what actually happened. The most interesting aspects of the movie are the depictions of everyday life in Tehran and the workings of the Iranian justice system. The courts seem rather chaotic, with people waiting and hanging about, but this may not be that different to anywhere else.
Gregory B
says
I was surprised and totally bowled over by how much I liked this movie. Not everybody would find this film entertaining it still is intriguing and thought provoking.
Bavin
says
An even-handed family drama set in modern Iran. There are no goodies and baddies as all of the characters try to manipulate the situation to achieve their own ends. There is lots of squabbling and confrontation as the film-maker shows us the inadequacy of his culture to solve the issues that arise. The system of justice is inadequate, the social conventions are inadequate, and the religious rules are inadequate. It's a thought-provoking movie that raises some interesting issues but it leaves some ends hanging and ultimately is not particularly entertaining.
John
says
Real and incredible sense of honesty