The Day I became a Woman ( 2000)

It is a 2000 award winning Iranian drama film. Directed by Marzieh Meshkini. It tells three stories, each depicting a different stage in the lives of Iranian women. It premiered at the 2000 Venice film Festival & won several awards during 2000.

Critical response was positive with some calling it ‘Felliniesque’. Made on a budget of $ 180, 000 est. it garnered $ 344, 235 ( USA subtotal).

First story is of Hava, on her ninth birthday is told by her mother & grandmother that she has become a woman. She cannot play with her best friend, Hasan.

She was born at noon, so convinces them to let her play till noon. Now, Hasan’s sister has made him do homework. He talks to her from the window bars.

Ahoo is a married woman. She is riding a bi cycle., taking part in women’s cycling race. Leading the field, her husband arrives on horseback overtaking her. He threatens her with divorce. She continues. He brings a mullah to divorce her.

Later grandfather & her brothers arrive to persuade. Brothers take away her bike on horseback. She completes the race with another bicycle.

Hoora is an elderly widow who has inherited a great amount of money. She has tied strings on her fingers., to remind her what to buy. She buys everything she wanted but could not buy, till today. The young boys she hired take everything to the beach. As she floats out to a waiting ship, seemingly free from the bonds of womanhood, she is watched by two young women from the bicycle race & Hava, now wearing a scarf.

Some critics found the second story the highlight & the last story a disappointment. I totally disagree. Yes, the second story is the real tale of struggle but so is the third. She has no issue. She wants a son. She asks two boys. But they refuse. They already have a mother!

Money cannot buy everything. She is surrounded by all material goods. but has no family to share.

The first story, Hava is so innocent. Now, she has to stop playing. Because she is now a woman. The girl doesn’t even know what it is all about!

Beautiful stories. Simply put. Kudos to the debutante director. She had to pass all the tests put up by the cast & crew to make it till here.