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

8 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 Taher	...	Kataneh (as Noor Al Taher)
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:

death penalty | religion | iran | murder | stoned to death | 

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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

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: Public Enemies/Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs/The Stoning of Soraya M (2009)

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Soundtracks

Ghochani
Written by Goudarzi
Performed by Goudarzi

User Reviews

A gripping and intense cinematic experience

I can't remember the last time I had such a gripping and emotional experience in movie theatre. In the screening I attended there was audible sobbing and gasps throughout a large part of the film.

Sohreh Aghdashloo is excellent in her portrayal of the feisty Zarah. Newcomer Marzhan Marno is equally moving, and sympathetic in her role of the title character. I'll be surprised if come award time these ladies are not recognized for their work.

Though some have criticized the portrayals of the male characters as unbelievable I found them to be very accurate. Let's not pretend that sexism and religious hypocrisy are something new...even in our own society. These are men who abuse religious laws and principals for their own gain and too keep women subservient. However, the director does show other sides of these characters as well, struggling with their own beliefs and decisions (in private as to not show weakness in public).

The film is beautifully filmed as well, with the sweeping shots of the village landscape and the poetic images of chadors moving in the wind.

I never come on IMDb to write reviews, but 'The Stoning of Soroya M.' was such an intense and beautiful film that I had to spread the word. It deserves a much wider release than its getting, because its a breath of fresh air in a summer movie season full of inane comedies and action romps.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

Persian English

Release Date:

9 October 2009 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Stoning of Soraya M.

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$115,053, 28 June 2009

Gross USA:

$637,421

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,120,476

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roadside Attractions, Mpower Distribution, Mpower Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital Dolby Digital (Spanish dubbing mix)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1