A Separation

This 'foreign language' film went several steps further than Headhunters(previous post), leaving me emotionally exhausted as the end credits rolled! Despite the acclaim and(deserved) Oscar win, I had even less of an idea what to expect with A Separation. I had seen clips, but they were out of context - boy, what context!
This film is documentary-like in it's realism - the actors are flawless. At it's core is a sensational script by writer/director Asghar Farhadi. In this battle for love, justice and respect, no character is above reproach. There are no good or bad people, just victims of circumstance. Farhadi has nailed the human experience, particularly that of us, at odds with our fellow man(or woman). He shows us the complexities of adult life - even with the good fortune of family.
A Separation tells the story of Nader and Simin, who begin the film in court. Simin is filing for divorce, having attained visas for her family(their 11 year old daughter Termeh, included), with a view to moving abroad. Nader is not prepared to leave however, as he has his Alzheimer's suffering father to look after. Simin moves to her parents, while Termeh stays with her father and grandfather. Nader is forced to hire help for his father, but no sooner has he hired someone, then there's an unfortunate incident.
Moreover, we have the experience of witnessing events unfold in a foreign land, this time Iran. Obviously religion plays an integral role in the lives of these characters. The judicial system is present throughout, as a result of the afore-mentioned 'incident' - this is a fascinating insight and worth the admission alone.
This could have been a disaster. No one wants to go to the movies to be reminded of how difficult life can be. It's certainly confronting, however like any story worth it's salt, it doesn't hand-feed it's audience.
A Separation challenges the audience to invest in it's characters and follow them on their journey. Trust me, once you're hooked, there's no letting go. A Separation is a totally collaborative experience. These are honorable characters, despite their actions - and you owe it to them to see this thing through to the end! You'll find yourself immersed in their lives and consequently, immersed in this film!
A Separation may be too real for some, but it's an exquisite story regardless of genre - 5/5!