I saw Asghar Farhadi’s film, A Separation, the week before it won best foreign film at the 
Oscars. Shot in a very intimate fashion—no panoramic shots of city or country—this film tells a story that could be told anywhere. The movie’s about a man struggling with a father who has Alzheimer’s and a wife who doesn’t want to be there anymore. There’s also a child. I was riveted by the brilliantly acted family drama taking place on the screen.
The Screenplay by Asghar Farhadi
Because director and screenwriter, Asghar Farhadi, wrote an honest screenplay, a story that occurs in homes all over the globe, it was easy to become engaged. A Separation shows the raw emotion that all family members undergo as they try to cope with a family crisis, one that’s compounded by a care worker’s woes.
As Robert McKee teaches in his great Story seminars, it’s all about story. If it’s not on the page, it won’t be on the screen.
An Iranian Film That Speaks Volumes
What also impressed me about A Separation is the fact that this is an Iranian film. There is so much news right now about Iran’s drive to obtain nuclear energy and what this could mean if they decide to build a nuclear bomb. Israel worries it could be the target. But none of this is in the film. It isn’t about one country fighting another. It’s about a family trying to get through another day. In the end, 
I was left with the understanding that the choices we make have serious consequences. Once a couple takes a step towards a separation, there is often no turning back.
Films Can Unite Us
It would be nice to also see this film as a way of uniting us all, despite our cultural and religious differences. Like the characters in this film, we share the same dreams: to be loved, to have a supportive family, and to have the means to live out our days in reasonable comfort. Whether we’re American, Canadian, Iranian, Israeli, or from any other country, we are more alike in our dreams than not.
Asghar Farhadi has won another Oscar for The Salesman. I can’t wait to see it.
What are your thoughts on this?
That was a brief and cool movie review Diana. On my reply to your comment on my bloggers wall, I said how much I love my family. And then I’ve read this post, reason for me to look for this and watch it sooner together with my family. I totally agree with all you’ve said in your review. 🙂
Thank you for your kind comments. I think this film could make couples stop and think of what’s at stake, especially if they have children. In a separation, there are no winners.
I so agree. All parties involved are losers..
Hi Diana.
I am an Iranian teenager and am happy because you saw the movie.
It was a great movie as you said.
I hope you heard Asghar Farhadi’s speech -about Iranian culture- after he got Oscar award. 🙂
Yes, I heard Asghar Farhadi’s speech at the Oscars. It was excellent.
It was a good movie indeed. I watched it before the Oscar and I thought that the film deserved the win, but personally I don’t think I like the ending, I prefer it to be a happy end to the family.
Aina, I thought the ending was part of what made the film so spectacular. Without giving the ending away, I thought it showed more clearly what was at stake for everyone, not just the parents. I wish life could be tied up neatly, but even in our homes, conflict is sometimes played out to some disastrous conclusions. Walt Disney gives us happy endings, but we also need these kind of films to point out the significance of our choices and not to make them lightly.
I usually didn’t bother having happy ending or sad one, but maybe because I felt that the reason for their separation is not strong enough to lead for a divorce or any disastrous conclusions. I like them all a lot as a family. But still I enjoy the movie, it was a very good movie & worth the Oscar.
That’s the kind of review I’d like to see more of…
Thanks, Rob.
Hi Diana…
A film has a tremendous interest for the audience, his interests include, whether to comfort or experience …
a great review, thank you
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Thanks. This film resonated because of its honesty. It didn’t shy away from the truth of marital breakdown.