Review of A Separation (2011) by Joris G — 17 Apr 2012

Having taken the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film back in February (the first for Iran), writer-director Asghar Farhadi's A Separation is a hypnotic and emotionally marvelous look at family matters in modern-day Iran.

Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) are a couple seeking a divorce. Simin wants to move abroad with their 11 year old daughter, Termeh, but Nader wants his daughter to stay with him. Nader has the male-dominated state on his side and makes s anew home for Termeh and his father, suffering from dementia, with his father's nurse Razieh (Sareh Bayat) staying with them and supporting her unemployed husband Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini) and their daughter.

Then Nader accuses Razieh of abusing his father, an accusation which escalates into violence. Tensions then build in the courtroom, where Farhadi expertly reveals societal rifts of gender, class, religion and country, a most fascinating and eerily real microcosm.

The actors are all amazing, bringing fabulous and rich depth to their roles. A Separation is a one of a kind film, you won't be able to shake it.