The Stoning of Soraya M
The Stoning of Soraya M. is a 2008 drama film adapted from French-Iranian
journalist Freidoune Sahebjam's 1990 book La Femme Lapidee, based on a
true story.
Based on the 1994 book, which was banned in Iran, THE STONING OF SORAYA M
introduces us to Zahra, a courageous Iranian woman with a terrible secret. When
a journalist is temporarily stranded in her village, Zahra risks her life to
relate the shocking events that led to the ‘legalized’ murder of her niece,
Soraya, falsely accused of adultery by a husband who wished to be rid of her in
order to marry a 14 year-old girl. The penalty for such a crime is death by
stoning – a barbaric practice condoned by Sharia law, that still prevails in
some parts of the world.
Special Features:
- Director’s and Writer’s Commentary
- The Making Of Featurette (45 Mins.)
Awards
- WINNER: BEST ACTRESS – 2009 Satellite Awards
- WINNER: Justice Award for Cinema for Peace – 2010 Berlin Int’l Film
Festival
- WINNER: Audience Award for Best Feature Film – 2009 Los Angeles Film
Festival
- WINNER: Best Feature Film – 2010 Image Awards
Critic Reviews:
- " As a documentation of an outrage, designed to horrify the world and
make it pay attention, it works very well. " –
Megan Basham
- " Melodramatic, yes, but this powerful, disturbing film is based on a
real event in mid-Eighties Iran, which makes it easier – or perhaps
harder – to bear. " – Markie Robson-Scott
- " The story is simple and compelling and the title leaves no doubt where
the story is going. This is a powerful film for those willing to see its extreme
violence. " – Mark R. Leeper