Director Marziyeh Meshkini's film "The Day I Became a Woman" is an incredibly intelligent examination of a number of important challenges: the transition from childhood to adulthood, the pain inherent in asserting individual will, and the condition of womanhood. These themes are explored in the stories of three individual women of different generations, and each vignette contains powerful insights about the meaning of femininity, not only in Iranian culture but throughout human society.
I'm also glad this film is out on DVD soon (October 18). This DVD looks like it will be particularly good; it comes with an audio-commentary by Richard Pena and an essay by Shirin Neshat, an amazing Iranian artist and photographer. I found the film's website: thedayibecameawoman.com, and it's worth a look if you want to find out more about this film.
Meshkini's skill as a director highlights beautifully the complexities of such issues; she uses powerful symbolism and even surrealist imagery to give each vignette depth and energy. I am particularly fond of the first, in which we are introduced to a young girl on her 9th birthday. She is informed by her mother and grandmother that after this day, she will become a woman, and must accept all the societal impositions that this entails. Her reaction is not defiance or rebellion, neither is it resigned acceptance. She is a complete human being, and nothing separates her from her present reality.
Meshkini gives the view a great deal to ponder through the entire film, and leaves her viewers with new, fresh ideas and ways of thinking about human society. I whole-heartedly recommend this film to those who do not take for granted the roles and lifestyles assigned by society.
I'm also glad this film is out on DVD soon (October 18). This DVD looks like it will be particularly good; it comes with an audio-commentary by Richard Pena and an essay by Shirin Neshat, an amazing Iranian artist and photographer. I found the film's website: thedayibecameawoman.com, and it's worth a look if you want to find out more about this film.
Meshkini's skill as a director highlights beautifully the complexities of such issues; she uses powerful symbolism and even surrealist imagery to give each vignette depth and energy. I am particularly fond of the first, in which we are introduced to a young girl on her 9th birthday. She is informed by her mother and grandmother that after this day, she will become a woman, and must accept all the societal impositions that this entails. Her reaction is not defiance or rebellion, neither is it resigned acceptance. She is a complete human being, and nothing separates her from her present reality.
Meshkini gives the view a great deal to ponder through the entire film, and leaves her viewers with new, fresh ideas and ways of thinking about human society. I whole-heartedly recommend this film to those who do not take for granted the roles and lifestyles assigned by society.