BIG SCREEN: A Separation Revieux

I knew relatively little about A Separation when I walked into the screening. I knew it was an Iranian movie that had won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film the night before, but that’s pretty much it. Given what’s going on in that region of the world, I assumed this would be a highly political film, but nothing could be further from the truth. What a pleasant surprise.

A Separation is the story of an Iranian couple in the midst of crisis. Simin, the wife, wants to move abroad, while the husband, Nader, feels compelled to remain in Iran to care for his father, who lives with them and suffers from Alzheimer’s. They reach a total impasse, and things get ugly. Caught in the middle is their bright and sensitive 11-year-old daughter, who is obviously suffering under the strain of the contention.

As the strife escalates, Simin moves out, and a series of terrible events leads to even more legal and emotional distress for all involved.

It’s definitely a well-written, beautifully acted, heartbreaking story, but what elevates it, in my book, is its raw humanity. There’s no political message, no agenda. It completely transcends any cultural differences, making it totally relatable.

Hm, we may not be as different as we thought? What a concept.

I know a lot of people are turned off by foreign films and their subtitles, but man – it’s such a great opportunity to get some new perspective on other cultures, beyond the rhetoric and actions of their politicians. It ain’t gonna settle any international disputes, but a little artistic common ground and a little objectivity couldn’t hurt.

A Separation opens today at Canal Place Theatres.