The Stoning of Soraya M

The Stoning of Soraya M. is a 2008 drama film adapted from French-Iranian journalist Freidoune Sahebjam's 1990 b­ook La Femme Lapidee, based on a true story.

Based on the 1994 book, which was banned in Iran, THE STONING OF SORAYA M introduces us to Zahra, a courageous Iranian woman with a terrible secret. When a journalist is temporarily stranded in her village, Zahra risks her life to relate the shocking events that led to the ‘legalized’ murder of her niece, Soraya, falsely accused of adultery by a husband who wished to be rid of her in order to marry a 14 year-old girl. The penalty for such a crime is death by stoning – a barbaric practice condoned by Sharia law, that still prevails in some parts of the world.

Special Features:

• Director’s and Writer’s Commentary
• The Making Of Featurette (45 Mins.)

Awards

• WINNER: BEST ACTRESS – 2009 Satellite Awards
• WINNER: Justice Award for Cinema for Peace – 2010 Berlin Int’l Film Festival
• WINNER: Audience Award for Best Feature Film – 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival
• WINNER: Best Feature Film – 2010 Image Awards

Critic Reviews:

• " As a documentation of an outrage, designed to horrify the world and make it pay attention, it works very well. " – Megan Basham

• " Melodramatic, yes, but this powerful, disturbing film is based on a real event in mid-Eighties Iran, which makes it easier – or perhaps harder – to bear. " – Markie Robson-Scott

• " The story is simple and compelling and the title leaves no doubt where the story is going. This is a powerful film for those willing to see its extreme violence. " – Mark R. Leeper