GC Movie Review - The Stoning of Soraya M.

This is the scenario that played out in this true story, adapted as a book and soon to be released as a film this coming Friday, June 26th.

In 1986, French-Iranian investigative journalist Freidoune Sahebjam's (Jim Caviezel) car unexpectedly stalled as he went to Iran to report on a story. Always known for his controversial reporting, Sahebjam was sentenced to death by the Iranian government. However, he would return incognito to investigate sensitive issues regarding the Tehran Islamic Regime. This is where he was going when he found himself stranded in Kupayeh.

Upon overhearing that the stranded stranger is a reporter, Zahra, (Shohreh Agdashloo) an older Iranian woman accosted him and says that she needs to speak with him. She shares with him that she has a story to tell and he needs to expose it to the world. Meanwhile, the men in the village had already told him not to listen to her because she’s crazy. She says to him, “Women here have no voice; I need you to take my voice with you. Let me tell you this story and then you tell me if I’m crazy.”

Reluctantly, but intrigued at the same time, Sahebjam turns on his tape recorder and Zahra begins the horrific last day of her niece’s life.

Soraya, (Mozhan Marno) a 35 year old strikingly beautiful mother of four, lives in Kupayeh, a small village in Iran. Although dominated by men and their antiquated perspectives, she is liked in her village and seen as very respectful. Soraya is married to Ali, (Navid Negahban) a physically abusive husband who announces one day that he wants a divorce so he can marry a 14 year old girl. In his arrogance, he even tries to convince her to keep their two daughters while he takes their two sons, as if to lighten her burden. Not wanting to lose her husband, his income and divide her family Soraya disagrees, leaves for her aunt’s house with the girls and seeks her advice.

Lustful after this young girl and filled with vengeance, Ali has to find a way not to pay for two wives. All the while Zahra is secretly visiting and seeking the help of Ebrahim, (David Diaan) the town mayor and a man from her past whose proposal for marriage she refused, but he’s still very much in love with her.