The Stoning of Soraya M.

The Stoning of Soraya M. is not easy viewing. A film that
concludes with a graphic execution that lasts for as long as 20 minutes
as we see a woman tortuously stoned to death, some may deem this as
somewhat exploitative. After a good pounding with rocks, her
blood-drenched body half-buried in the ground and seemingly lifeless, a
cold inspection sees that there’s a little life in her yet. And so the
stoning resumes. Nice.

First released in 2008, and set in Iran, it is based on a true story of Soraya (Marno),
an innocent woman charged with adultery, considered to be a crime under
ancient Islamic law and punishable by death. Quite simply, her brutal
husband, Ali (Negahban) wants to clear the way so that he can marry a
14-year-old girl. He spreads rumors and provides false evidence that
leads to her prosecution. Even her elderly father and sons literally
have a hand in her eventual demise.

This is a story about an innocent woman being condemned to death but
the point is, no human being should be subjected to what pretty much
amounts to torture porn. A harsh reminder of continuing injustices
against women around the world.

Directed by Iranian-American moviemaker Cyrus Nowrasteh, who wrote the screenplay with his wife, Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh, the film was beaten to the post by Slumdog Milllionaire at the Toronto International Film Festival, for the audience choice award. It almost feels wrong to call it entertainment – it’s keeping it real. Go, be educated.