The Stoning of Soraya M. (2008)

A desperate woman asks for a meeting with a journalist to disclose the cruel and inhumane punishment of her niece.

Director:

Cyrus Nowrasteh

Writers:

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

Stars:

Shohreh Aghdashloo, Jim Caviezel, Mozhan Marnò

6 wins & 8 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 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 marriage had a tragic ending.

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Plot Keywords:

iran | death penalty | murder | stoned to death | barbarism | 

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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 USA:

$115,053, 28 June 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$655,647, 20 November 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roadside Attractions, Mpower Distribution, Mpower Pictures

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Digital (Spanish dubbing mix)

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)

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Soundtracks

Bandari
Written by Goudarzi
Performed by Goudarzi

User Reviews

wrenching and realistic

Thirty minutes into this film you completely forget you are watching a movie. You are THERE, plain and simple. It's a lot like United 93 in that sense ... realistic, wrenching, and heartbreaking, but something you have to experience. It may be too visceral for critics (also like United 93), but film lovers should definitely seek it out. The ending is not supposed to be a surprise ... we know it is inevitable, and that creates a deep empathy for the character and the injustice she experiences. Yes there are more than a few flaws here. Sometimes the score becomes intrusive and there are some lines that don't work. But if audience involvement is any indication, this is an unqualified success.