Persian: ‘The Separation of Nader from Simin, also titled ‘Nader & Simin, A Separation’. It is an Iranian drama film. Written & Directed by Asghar Farhadi. Starring Leila Hatami,Peyman Moaadi, Shahab Hosseini, Sareh Bayat, Sarina Farhadi.
It focuses on an Iranian middle-class couple who separate, the disappointment & desperation suffered by their daughter.
Due to egotistical disputes & separation of her parents , the conflicts that arise when the husband hires a lower-class caregiver for his elderly father, who suffers from Alzheimer ‘s disease.
Released on 15 February 2011 (Berlin). Made in Persian language.
Budget $ 800,000, it garnered $ 24.4 million.
Awarded the academy award for Best Foreign language Film in 2012. The first Iranian film to win the award.
Golden Bear for Best Film & Silver Bears for Best Actress & Best Actor at 61st Berlin International Film Festival. Becoming the first Iranian film to win the Golden Bear.
Golden Globe for Best Foreign language film & the Asia Pacific screen Award for Best Feature film.
It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making it the first non-English film in five years to achieve this.
Right from the first frame it glues you to the screen. As the story unfolds the human mind & the games people play… unknowingly is brought to the fore.
Initially, I thought little of the daughter of the estranged couple. But towards the end her emotions come forth. An intelligent adolescent struggling with her thoughts. She is of an age where she understands what is right & what isn’t.
I was reminded of ‘Kramer Vs Kramer’ but here the Iranian couple has a grown daughter & an ailing parent. The societal norms are different.
The Hindi film ‘Kaash’ also deals with it. But the Indian mother cannot stay away from the child. The plot changed in the end.
The ego clash leads to the child to suffer, un-necessarily.
Asian Entertainment 