Women Without Men

Women Without Men is a captivating intersectional narrative directed by photographer Shirin Neshat. Released in 2009, this dramatic, historical and yet surreal film, co-written by Neshat and Shoja Azari, operates on two simultaneous levels to weave together the experiences of four different women in Tehran, Iran. This film is not just a social commentary on gender, power, and society, but it also intertwines political commentary with the personal realities and troubles of the female protagonists.

The narrative of Women Without Men is structured around a fatal convergence - the CIA-backed coup that ousted Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mosaddegh, in 1953. Around this historical event, the film focuses on four distinctive women from vastly different social backgrounds: Munis (Shabnam Toloui), Faezeh (Pegah Ferydoni), Fakhri (Arita Shahrzad), and Zarin (Orsi Toth). Each woman, in her own way, struggles against patriarchal constraints and societal expectations.

Munis is an introverted woman with political leanings who yearns to participate in the swirling political demonstrations but is stifled by her oppressive brother. Faezeh is Munis' best friend, a religiously devout woman who dreams of a conventional happy marriage but finds herself caught in a vicious circle of betrayal and heartbreak. Fakhri is a middle-aged woman burdened by an unhappy marriage to a general, who finds solace in an enchanting orchard she buys. Zarin is a hollow-eyed prostitute, her existence worn thin by the constant assault and the incursion of nameless men.

Under the film's mesmerizing visual story-telling, these women find each other. Their diverse narratives, all marked by pain, converge in the magical orchard bought by Fakhri. This garden serves as a sanctuary - a surrealistic and symbolic space that transcends time and reality, representing purity and freedom, a stark contrast to the oppressing socio-political environment which the film presents with just as much eloquence.

Neshat's Women Without Men displays stunning cinematography. The film's distinctive visual style draws heavily from Neshat's previous experience as a still photographer, marking each scene with poetic elegance and sometimes-frustrating opacity. A gloomy palette, with sharp transitions into surrealistic, brilliant lights and colors, the symbolism-laden film is a feast for the eyes, often communicating more through gesture and imagery than actual dialogue.

Each woman is portrayed through poignant depth, with exceptional performances from the cast. Shabnam Toloui beautifully captures the complex inner turmoil of Munis. Pegah Ferydoni excels in representing the vulnerability and eventual empowerment of Faezeh. Arita Shahrzad stuns as Fakhri with her commanding screen presence which resonates with a blend of melancholy and defiance.

Women Without Men is not an easy watch. It is permeated with grim and unsettling scenes, and moments of profound sorrow. However, it is just as sporadically punctuated with small joys, fleeting bursts of liberty, defiance, camaraderie, and sisterhood. The film leaves the audience contemplating freedom's significance and the lengths one may go to find it.

The metamorphosis each woman undergoes is artistically brought out in minute and sensitive details instead of overt descriptions. Neshat accentuates emotional dislocation and the confines of patriarchies with deeply stirring visual cues, deliberate pacing, and profound symbolisms.

In spite of being artistically produced and visually overwhelming, Women Without Men also shines a light on the little-known historical event of the Iranian coup in the backdrop, effortlessly melding the personal with political to give form to a riveting visual parable of women's struggles under a patriarchal society and the political upheaval in Iran. At the heart of all the seclusion, repression, and despair, the characters strive for salvation and liberation - involving a quest for personal and political freedom beneath a claustrophobic and oppressive environment.

In essence, Women Without Men is a visually striking and poignant tale that narrates the intersectionality of gender, politics, and societal norms. It requires thoughtful and receptive viewing, as the film goes beyond the conventional to examine the struggles of women and a nation navigating through tumultuous times. Whether it’s the captivating performances, gripping narrative, or haunting cinematography, Women Without Men binds disparate elements into a rich, albeit sobering, cinematic tapestry.