The Stoning of Soraya M.

“Are you afraid?”

“Of dying?.... No. I’m afraid of the pain.”

The Stoning of Soraya M. is the heart wrenching tale of Soraya Manutchehri, a helpless young Iranian woman who was brutally stoned to death, just because she was an inconvenience to her husband.

The movie begins with French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam entering a remote mountain village where he learns the story of Soraya – a ghastly crime committed by the entire village against a young mother. Her only fault – she refused to let her husband divorce her and marry a 14-year old girl he had taken a liking to, as she did not have the funds to support herself and her 2 young daughters. So he chooses the easy way to get rid of his “old” wife – accuse her of infidelity.

He is supported by a religious law that claims “If a man accuses a woman of infidelity, the woman must prove her innocence. If a woman accuses a man of infidelity, she must prove his guilt.” How does one prove their innocence when there is no crime committed? Helpless, Soraya mutely watches as her husband gathers the support of the entire village on the vaguest of accusations – a touch of hands, a simple smile! And the verdict is declared – she must be stoned to death.

Why such a brutal method of execution, one might wonder? The law claims that with each stone thrown on the offender, the sin can be wiped off the village and the people will be cleansed.

The gripping scene in the movie where Zahra, Soraya’s aunt, asks her “Are you afraid?” and Soraya responds “Not of dying, but of the pain” breaks your heart, yet Soraya’s courage makes you proud. Her innocent honesty tugs at your heart strings and you are left wondering how can anyone be so cruel and merciless! The most horrifying moment in the movie is probably when you see Soraya’s young son, blinded by his father’s words, pick the first stone to hurl at his own mother!

 Injustice of any kind should incite an emotion of righteous anger within all of us. Whether man, woman, boy or girl, no one has the right to make people feel worthless, useless and purposeless. This righteous anger will overtake you as you watch this film, especially since it still goes on today. In certain Middle Eastern countries this is exactly how women are treated. Women are seen as dispensable, replaceable at her husband’s choosing. Soraya’s story is just one of the many cases that happen, but one that has made its way out to the public.

The movie is a gripping, compelling and necessary story about lies, false beliefs, false religions, blasphemy, oppression, murder, human rights, decency, lust, pride and ego. If you walk out of this film unchanged, your integrity as a human being must be questioned. It not only leaves you stunned, angry and with a feeling of helplessness, but it also asks the question: When was the last time you witnessed an injustice and refused to speak up and act? Let your voice be heard.