MUST SEE Flick: The Stoning of Soraya M.
June 27, 2009
by Amy Siskind
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actress Mozhan Marn as Soraya
This weekend marks the film debut of The Stoning of Soraya M. As if by some cosmic coincidence, the film is set in a small village in modern day Iran.
I was invited to a pre-screening of the film in the spring. The Stoning of Soraya was one of the most upsetting films that I have ever seen. Many times I had to literally cover my face and turn away from the screen.
That said, it is extremely important that we all make the effort to see this film. We must understand what is happening to the women in that part of the world. I’m a huge believer that awareness and raising consciousness are important first step to progress. Even if this is happening half-way around the world, let us not forget that many forms of violence against women occur right here at home.
The film is based on an international best seller written by French journalist Freidoune Sahebjam and takes place in 1986 in a small village in Iran. Soraya is a wife and mother of four. Her abusive husband decides that he wants to get rid of her so he can remarry to a 14 year-old and not have to pay alimony. To accomplish his goal, he accuses her of adultery, a crime punishable by death (for women).
Her death decree is carried out in the small village where she is buried waste deep in the ground with her hands tied at her sides. Hence, she cannot shield herself as the stones are hurled at her, one by one, first by her sons, then by her father, and so on.
I was so overwhelmed by the stoning scene in the film, that I felt physically ill afterwards. Fortunately, at this pre-screening, I was able to meet the actual actresses involved in the film: Shohreh Aghdashloo and Mozhan Marn – two amazing women and incredible actresses. My first instinct was to go straight over to Mozhan (Soraya) and hug her tight. It was nice to know that in “real life” she was okay. Keep the tidbit in the back of your mind when you exit the film – you’ll need it!
I recognize mine to be a minority opinion, but I will express it anyway. This and the other human rights abuses are more dangerous to us, here in the United States, than the possession of nuclear weapons by Iran would be.
Anyway to get enough people together in each state to walk into the regional offices armed with a digital recording device and ask one question– Has the Senator or does the Senator have any plans to read the cap and trade bill before casting a vote. I am sure it would be all no comments. But perhaps might remind them that they work for us!!!!
Great post Amy
I saw the film opening night in Philadelphia, which was last night.
Unfortunately from what I understand the producers of this film are trying to tell people that Islam does not recommend stoning. This is absolutely untrue. Maybe they are afraid of ending up like Theo van Gogh. In any case I was glad to see the theater nearly full on a friday evening. The images viewers will take away are of inbred savages who hate women.
Lets not forget that the slaughter of women as practised by Mohammed happens in the U.S. and the Europe. Remember the founder of the Bridges Network in up state New York who took his wife’s head off with an axe?
It makes me sick that the new urban liberalism makes constant excuses for Islam and it’s brutal practises.
I recently watch a program called “New Muslim Cool’ on PBS.
It is the story of a Puerto Rican American rapper who converted to Islam. He was fired from his job as a prison Imam because of the F.B.I.’s investigation of him.
This film shows Islam as some kind of beacon of hope for gang-bangers and drug dealers. I am sure that the father of the murdered Army recruitment officer William Long, who was killed by an American who converted to Islam in prison, would be outraged and horrified by this reclessly naive documentary.
Shame on PBS for sugar coating Islam. The “new urban democrats’ will not be happy unti alll women in America are sporting Burka’s!
Link to article about actress’s covering up the truth about Islam.
http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/026742.php
Juliette,
I find the treatment of women in the middle east and many parts of Africa AND in certain cultures in the U.S. downright sickening but I am not ready to condemn an entire religion. I mean we have the president of our country having a “Christian” man who believes that women should stay with abusive husbands lead our nation in prayer. The real danger there is that a lot of women believe that he (Obama) has our (women’s) best interest at heart. I found it as offensive as black Americans might find someone from the KKK leading us in prayer. To me it was like Obama giving his nod of approval for that way of thinking. At least in the Mideast they are easy to recognize. Women in our country still adore Obama.
Let’s condemn the sickos and not the religion. I looked at your link. Perhaps we should pick up the Koran ourselves and make our own interpretations.
Amy,
It’s heartening to see your article posted here tonight, in support of ‘The Stoning of Soraya M.’
A most powerful and timely film with an amazing cast, who perform with great integrity and skill, to tell this true story.
I just came home from the 7:10 show in Pasadena, which was sold out. The audience applauded at the end, which I believe showed their appreciation for the work of all involved in creating this movie.
The filmmakers should be very proud.
Thank you for providing the link to the film’s website. I would urge all of your readers at The New Agenda to please make it a point to see and support this film. The first two weeks are very important.
And, please, pass the word to your family and friends…
Loralee
I highly recommend picking up the Koran to anyone. That is what I did. I also studied Arabic, went to Mosques here and in the middle east and visited four Muslim countries.
My very negative oppinion of Islam comes from my knowledge of Islam. I uses to be sympathetic to the worlds Muslims.
If I only didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.
Link to great perspective on this film
http://www.americanthinker.com.....ss_sp.html
Juliette,
Clearly I am not as well educated in Islam as you are but I find it hard to believe that smart people choose a religion that is nothing but bad. I just can’t envision Cat Stevens endorsing stoning women in the streets. My point is that ALL religions and societies have people in them who abuse women. THe U.S. boycotted South Africa for Apartheid but we are allies with countries who endorse genital mutilation (on females) and countries like Saudi Arabia who support “honor” killings. But WE aren’t considered a Muslim nation. Men beat up their wives in the U.S., have restraining orders put on them, but they get a slap on the wrist and get out and kill their wives. But it’s “domestic violence,” it’s not really “murder”, right? Heck look at Hiram Monserate in New York. I wonder if other members in the Senate would be as supportive if he were accused of cutting up some strangers face as opposed to his girlfriend’s. What about Rick Warren’s interpretation of the Bible and how women should be subservient to their husbands?
Well Loralee, I have to agree with Juliette. I currently live in a Muslim country…been here for three months..know Arabic. The first mistake is believing that people are smart. They aren’t. Atleast men are not smart. They are only interested in their own dominance over women, because of insecurities about their physical sex. They hate women. Some cultures are more misogynist than others, and Americans are fairly innocent compared to the rest of the world. Stoning is a horror to Americans. To muslims: something to capture on their iphone.
-let’s not forget clitorectomy which also happens in various parts of the islamic world.
Do men see religious and cultural sensitivity as a route to gaining control over women and reclaiming their dominance in an ever growing legal world that sees women’s rights as human beings?
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