The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008)

A drama set in 1986 Iran and centered on a man, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village and enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, ... See full summary »

Director:

Cyrus Nowrasteh

Writers:

Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh (screenplay), Cyrus Nowrasteh (screenplay),

Stars:

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Mozhan Marnò, Jim Caviezel

5 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Shohreh Aghdashloo	...	Zahra
Mozhan Marnò	...	Soraya M.
Jim Caviezel	...	Freidoune Sahebjam
Navid Negahban	...	Ali
Ali Pourtash	...	Mullah
David Diaan	...	Ebrahim
Parviz Sayyad	...	Hashem
Vida Ghahremani	...	Mrs. Massoud
Vachik Mangassarian	...	Morteza Ramazani - Soraya's Father
Bita Sheibani	...	Leila
Noor Al Taher	...	Kataneh
Haya Al Taher	...	Malaka
Khalid Khan	...	Warden
Sheede Dana	...	Second Woman
Fay Yan	...	Bita

Storyline

A drama set in 1986 Iran and centered on a man, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village and enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant had a tragic ending.

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Plot Keywords:

village | iran | car | cowardice | persian | 

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Taglines:

When a deadly conspiracy became a shameful cover-up One witness refused to be silent.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a disturbing sequence of cruel and brutal violence, and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

Persian English

Release Date:

9 October 2009 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

La verdad de Soraya M.

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$115,053 (USA) (26 June 2009)

Gross:

$655,647 (USA) (20 November 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roadside Attractions, Mpower Distribution, Mpower Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the location where the jail scene was to be shot a prison riot broke out the day before causing a lockdown and a "prison" had to be constructed.

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Goofs

When Soraya gives her jewelry to her daughters, both girls cup their hands to receive both items, not knowing which sister is being given which piece. This happens both times, even when the younger daughter has received her necklace already.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: Don't act like the hypocrite, who thinks he can conceal his wiles while loudly quoting the Koran. - Hafez, 14th Century Iranian Poet

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Connections

Featured in The Rotten Tomatoes Show: The Hurt Locker/My Sister's Keeper/Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)

User Reviews

Incredibly Poignant Film

I saw The Stoning of Soraya M. a few months back at a screening, and it was so incredibly poignant that just watching the newly-released trailer brought tears to my eyes. Tears for the woman upon whom this film is based, and tears for many others like her, throughout the world, who have no voice.

The Stoning of Soraya M. is well-paced overall and does a fantastic job of bringing the audiences into Soraya's helpless situation, as we, just as helplessly, witness the malicious or cowardly decisions of others that will eventually lead to her demise.

The film treats Islam with sensitivity and in no way implicates the religion itself in the brutal practice of stoning. Shohreh Aghdashloo's character, a Muslim, decries the stoning as against the will of God.

It is important to note that the film accurately depicts a stoning, and is therefore not for the feint of heart, but seekers of truth and justice will appreciate the candor with which it portrays the gruesome nature of the heinous practice.

I commend Cyrus Nowrasteh, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and the film's producers for their courage in making this film. Thanks to you, "the world will know."