In this era of awfully crafted movies, it is rare that one has the fortune to see a film that leaves an indelible imprint on the imagination. The Stoning of Soraya M. resonates with the unheard voices of thousands of women who have been slain unjustly. A carefully crafted tale of pure evil and an example of man at his worst; the director does an excellent job of capturing the very essence of a “real tragedy”.

The film is based on the life and death of Soraya Manutcheri, as told by her aunt. In a remote Iranian village, Soraya is married to an abusive husband from whom she has no escape. Soraya’s husband requests a divorce from his wife and mother of four children because he wants to get remarried to a young 14 year old girl. Having no means of support herself and her children and no chance of remarriage, Soraya refuses even after being pressured by the town mayor and the town’s Imam.

What unfolds as the movie progresses, recants the horrors of what happens in a society and culture controlled by Islamic Sharia law with unscrupulous men in control. Sharia law, the most oppressive and extreme of Islamic laws, basically offers no rights to women. Leading the stoning of this poor girl is her own father, husband and sons.

The director captures an oppressive form of Islam that few people ever experience. In an oppressive culture whereby women are but mere cattle for use by their masters and have no voice, Soraya is definitely given a voice. Told in the classic style of a Greek tragedy, The Stoning of Soraya M. is a must see for any intelligent movie-goer who understands the medium of film as an art. Please note that The Stoning of Soraya M is not for the faint of heart but I do strongly recommend to all cinephiles.  The Stoning of Soraya M is currently showing nation wide in independent theaters.