Divorce Iranian Style

About the Film

Observing and listening

Typical of Kim Longinotto' s work are her use of compelling film scenes without commentary that convey more to the attentive viewer than any commentary could. For example:

Paniz, the female court reporter's young school age daughter, has spent time every day at the court since the age of two and a half months. In this scene she sits in the judge's seat after he has retired for the day. In an officious tone she slaps her hand on the table and asks for silence. She then delivers a court statement with a wisdom rivaling that of the presiding judge with all his learning. Her final question might as well be directed to the him as well as to the imaginary defendant.

Kim Longinotto and her co-author Ziba Mir-Hosseini were invited to film at an Iranian family court during hearings involving marital disputes and divorce. The court is informal and the proceedings are full of human drama that touch on everything from jealousy, betrayal and mistreatment, to child custody, money and second wives. Unlike men, women's access to divorce is extremely limited. There are very few grounds upon which a woman may petition for one. Although women are entitled to receive a gift of money when they wed, they are often forced into forfeiting this marriage fee so they can negotiate their way out of demeaning and otherwise untenable marital situations. In any event, Iranian family court disapproves of divorce and assumes that women want to stay in their marriages. A woman and mother fighting for her rights in court

Dialogue excerpts

Judge: What's your dispute about. Woman: I think he's mad... Judge: So you have no fundamental disagreement? Woman: Your Honor, this gentleman went to the police... and accused me of having a telephone relationship... The officer came to our house... and asked me: “Do you have a relationship with (a man named) Mr. Bakhshi?” I said “yes.” He said “What kind of relationship?” I said “between a niece and her uncle”. The officer was really stunned. He said 'is your husband mad to report such a thing?” I confessed I talked to my uncle.

Husband: 'She goes out without my permission.'

Woman: 'He's lying. In 30 years that I've lived with this gentleman, I've not once left the house without his permission. I've complied with every religious duty in my marriage. This man has made my life hell.' Judge: 'You can change all this with good behavior.' Woman: 'It doesn't work. I've been making compromises for 30 years, obeying his wishes, hoping he would trust and appreciate me. He doesn't understand at all. We have a telephone in our house, but I don't have the right to answer it. He says 'when you hear what your rights are in Islam, you really will cry in pain. Your rights are to be fed so you don't starve and to be clothed'.''

Judge: 'You must make yourself attractive so he returns to your marriage. You must tempt him back.' Woman: 'Why should I? I don't want him at all!'