Divorce Iranian Style

Divorce Iranian Style is a groundbreaking 1998 British documentary film directed by Kim Longinotto and Ziba Mir-Hossein. Known for their thought-provoking features, the directors deftly shed light on the struggles Iranian women face within the system of Islamic law prevalent in their country. The movie stands distinct and is unique in its conception and execution because of its close look at a particular Iranian court of law which hears divorce cases, unveiling the veiled realities of the Iranian society that were hitherto unexplored.

In Iranian society, divorce is quite difficult to accomplish, particularly for a woman. Bound by religious and rigid patriarchal laws that systemically favor men, Iranian women find attaining divorce a Herculean task. Divorce Iranian Style unfolds within the confines of a Tehran-based family court where several women are seen grappling with the complexities of the divorce process.

Longinotto and Mir-Hosseini seamlessly extricate the often unheard and overshadowed personal narratives of these women, who brave societal norms and obstacles to claim their basic rights. An unparalleled look into the Iranian legal system and its implications on domestic life, the film intellectually challenges assumptions about the lives of Iranian women under Islamic law and reveals unexpected aspects of their personalities - resilience, tenacity, and a sharp wit.

With a running time of 80 minutes, the film dissects the intricacies and nuances of the socio-cultural and legal landscape of Iran through the lens of the struggles faced by three women, Jamileh, Ziba, and Maryam, each with their distinct stories. None of the characters are over-dramatized or caricatured; they each showcase real, tangible human beings trying to navigate an oppressive system. Our protagonists are shown to be robustly challenging the norms, consistently using wisdom, humor and determination as their tools.

Jamileh is a 16-year-old girl who got married to an older man against her will at 14 and is desperately seeking divorce now. Ziba, on the other hand, is a 38-year-old woman trying to end her 15-year-old marriage on grounds of mental and physical abuse, while also highlighting her husband's drug addiction. Lastly, Maryam is seeking divorce from a husband who has little to offer but refuses to grant her freedom.

The documentary showcases their journeys not just as characters, but rather as the embodiment of countless other women in similar situations in Iran, thereby turning their individual tales into a collective one.

Divorce Iranian Style highly contrasts the traditional representation of divorce, as it doesn't necessarily depict it as a tragic and miserable process. Instead, it attempts to project the process of divorce as an endeavor driven by courage, resilience, and a pursuit for basic rights, albeit accompanied by emotional upheaval. It's not just an immersive account of women's voice and agency in Iran but a broader contemplation on legal and gender dynamics.

Despite its serious subject matter, the film has moments of humor and light-heartedness that offer relief to the viewer, an indication of the human spirit's resilience in the faces of these women. The documentary's accomplishment lies in its unflinching portrayal of the complexities entrenched within, and paired with the fact that it never fails to acknowledge the strength of women, leaves some room for hope despite the challenging environment.

The film's technical brilliance is a testament to the critical acumen of both directors. Avoiding an overt voice-over narration, the film lets the scenes speak for themselves. The camera acts as a passive observer, candidly capturing the proceedings, providing an intimate look at the lives of the subjects. Personally shot footage and spontaneous encounters give it a very real and raw feel, the essence of a well-made documentary.

Divorce Iranian Style is an apt exploration of Iranian society, women’s rights in Iran, and the disparities prevalent within the established norms. The film doesn’t seek to make judgments or generalize the Iranian population’s beliefs but simply offers a glimpse into the reality of its legal system as seen through the experiences of three brave women. Providing a novel perspective, the film offers an insight into an aspect of Iran that remained obscured for a long time. It is not only a fascinating watch for social critics and scholars but also for anyone interested in understanding the different facets of human lives across the globe.