The theme of family struggle is apparent in almost every
film ever made, but in Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation,
an Iranian film which came out last year, this theme plays out in the most
realistic and universal way. It leaves the audience in a pit of silence and
enraptures the soul, body and mind to a point where one is unsure if they
are in a seat in a cold theater or if they are in the hot and stuffy Iranian
courthouse. This movie shows how the people of Iran are made up of just that -- people;
nothing more, nothing less. All the characters in this film are inherently
good. There is no villain, except for the governmental institution itself. But
even the judge with whom the family has to so frequently deal with, has a sense
of true humanity. He aims to be as fair as possible while still abiding by all of the religious
restrictions.
The
film opens as a point of view shot from the eyes of the
judge. He is listening to the quarrels of the main couple as they argue
about
whether or not Nader (Peyman Maodi) will consent to the divorce his wife
Simin (Leila Hatami), has requested. Simin wants to leave Iran on the
limited visa their family has so that their daughter, Termeh, played by
Asghar Farhadi's real daughter, Sarina Farhadi, will not have to grow up
under the oppressions of the Iranian government. Nader refuses to leave
as he has to take care of his father who has alzheimer's. Nader believes that
Iran is a fine place for Termeh to grow up. This opening shot is a bold
one. It feels so authentic due in large part to the two actors. But we
as the audience are instantly put into this mindset of the objective
mediator and this too adds to the authenticity of the first scene. The
viewer is thrown into the most stressful position and feels obligated to
judge these people who both seem to be making a legitimate case for themselves and for their daughter. The
films builds from this moment on. The disagreements continue
throughout and the perspectives and problems become more complicated and
more numerous. Each character that the audience is introduced to has a
different side to this one rather complicated
story,
The
most impressive feat that Farhadi is able to accomplish is that of
empathy. This film has five or more characters leading the way and
telling different parts of the story and all of them never waiver in
strength and necessity. The story as a whole is character driven
and connecting with each one comes naturally. They are pitted
against each other and each have their own pivotal character flaws but it
is the flaws that are so identifiable and create the greater sense of
connection. They are all ultimately trying to do the right thing.
The women in this film
give the strongest performances. The daughter Termeh, is stuck in the
middle of her parents' argument and is the most genuine one, holding her father to
his word. Her performance is one that brings up the rawest of emotions
and aids the other characters in doing the same. It is through Termeh that it becomes clear how much this film is about the human
condition; it is about the innate yearning for love and the simplicity
that can come with truth and trust. From that first point of view shot,
the film opens itself up and takes the viewer on a confusing journey
through the lives of the people of Iran.
The last shot of
the film is even more chilling than the first. With independent films the
endings often are left open ended and can happen unexpectedly or in an
abrupt fashion. This film adheres to this model, but the story is so all
encompassing that when it comes time for the credits to roll, the feeling
of a sort of separation anxiety comes through. Farhadi must have known
that his film would be one that leaves the audience missing and worrying
about the characters because he lets the credits roll over the last
shot for longer than usual. The audience is left to watch
Nader and Simin waiting in what is now a familiar, crowded courthouse. They
stand on opposite sides of the screen and a milky glass wall divides
them even further. They stand alone, as they have done the entire time,
disconnected from their government and disconnected from each other.
