A Separation (2011)

Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) is an emotionally layered Iranian drama that delves into class conflict, gender roles, religious boundaries, and the crumbling structure of family life. Released in 2011, the film gained worldwide acclaim for its gripping realism, moral complexity, and deeply human performances.

Detailed Summary

Introduction: Simin’s Decision to Leave

The film opens with a strikingly direct courtroom scene: Simin (Leila Hatami) is requesting a divorce from her husband Nader (Peyman Maadi). She wants to leave Iran with their 11-year-old daughter Termeh, believing that the country’s future is too uncertain. Nader refuses to leave because he must care for his elderly father, who suffers from Alzheimer’s.

Simin’s decision to move out sets the plot in motion. She goes to live with her parents, and Nader hires Razieh (Sareh Bayat), a deeply religious woman from a lower socioeconomic background, to take care of his father during the day.

Razieh’s Struggles and the Tension Builds

Razieh is visibly uncomfortable with the tasks involved—especially caring for a man who cannot take care of himself, which challenges her religious convictions. She doesn’t tell her volatile husband Hodjat (Shahab Hosseini) that she’s working because of their financial troubles and his unstable job situation.

One day, Nader returns home early to find his father tied to the bed and alone. Furious, he confronts Razieh when she returns, accusing her of neglect. He forcibly removes her from the house. Shortly afterward, Razieh has a miscarriage, which she attributes to the confrontation. What began as a domestic dispute now escalates into a legal and moral battle over assault, responsibility, and truth.

The Legal Battle

Nader is accused of causing the miscarriage and possibly killing Razieh’s unborn child, leading to criminal charges. In court, he insists he didn’t know Razieh was pregnant. Simin, although separated from Nader, becomes involved in trying to navigate the situation and protect both her husband and her daughter.

The court proceedings reveal a web of lies, half-truths, and withheld information. Termeh, caught in the middle, tries to protect her father by lying in court—something that deeply weighs on her conscience.

The Morality Maze

Razieh, wracked with guilt and fear, struggles with whether to take the oath on the Quran to swear that Nader caused her miscarriage. In a pivotal moment, she confesses to Hodjat that she isn’t certain the fall caused the miscarriage—she had earlier been hit by a car while rescuing Nader’s father. Her religious conviction prevents her from lying under oath, despite the financial incentives and pressure from her husband.

This moment of moral clarity is contrasted with the increasing desperation of both families. The film refuses to offer a clear villain or hero, portraying each character as flawed but deeply human.

Movie Ending

In the film’s final minutes, we return to the family court. Nader and Simin are finalizing their divorce. The judge asks Termeh which parent she wants to live with. Both parents are told to leave the room, and the judge waits for her answer.

And then… the screen fades to black before she makes her decision.

It’s an intentionally unresolved ending, leaving the audience in the same suspended uncertainty that defines the characters’ lives. The choice isn’t just about parental preference—it symbolizes Termeh’s inner conflict, shaped by loyalty, morality, and the weight of everything she has witnessed. Her silence speaks volumes: about a fractured family, an unforgiving system, and a generation burdened with impossible choices.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, A Separation does not have any post-credits scenes. The final frame of the film is meant to linger, unresolved, in the viewer’s mind. There are no additional scenes or Easter eggs—just silence and reflection.

Type of Movie

A Separation is a drama and legal-family thriller with elements of social realism. It is known for its slow-burning tension, emotional depth, and nuanced portrayal of Iranian society.

Cast

• Peyman Maadi as Nader
• Leila Hatami as Simin
• Sareh Bayat as Razieh
• Shahab Hosseini as Hodjat
• Sarina Farhadi (the director’s daughter) as Termeh
• Ali-Asghar Shahbazi as Nader’s father

Film Music and Composer

A Separation does not have a traditional musical score. Director Asghar Farhadi deliberately chose to use natural sound and silence to enhance the realism and tension of the film. This stylistic decision aligns with the documentary-like feel of the narrative.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed entirely in Tehran, Iran. Most scenes were shot in actual homes, courtrooms, and city streets, lending the film its grounded, intimate atmosphere. The authenticity of these locations plays a critical role in immersing the viewer in the characters’ everyday lives.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (2012) – Winner
• Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film – Winner
• Berlin International Film Festival – Golden Bear (Best Film), Silver Bear (Best Actor, Best Actress)
• César Award for Best Foreign Film – Winner
• Numerous critics’ circle awards around the world

Behind the Scenes Insights

• Director Asghar Farhadi reportedly spent months refining the script, ensuring every line served multiple layers of the story.
• Many scenes were filmed in long takes to allow actors to remain emotionally immersed.
• Sarina Farhadi, who played Termeh, is Asghar Farhadi’s real-life daughter.
• The director was inspired by real-life Iranian court cases and often attended family court sessions during development.

Inspirations and References

The film isn’t based on a book, but rather draws on:

• Real-life observations from Iranian courts
• Farhadi’s earlier works about family tensions (About Elly)
• Universal themes of moral ambiguity seen in classics like 12 Angry Men or Kramer vs. Kramer.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

No official alternate endings exist, but Farhadi considered extending the scene where Termeh makes her decision. Ultimately, he opted for the ambiguous ending to encourage audience interpretation. Some minor scenes, such as extended domestic interactions between Nader and his father, were trimmed to maintain pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

A Separation is not adapted from a book. However, after the film’s success, several novelizations and academic essays were published, analyzing its themes and characters. Since it’s an original screenplay, all narrative and character development stems directly from Farhadi’s script.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

• The opening courtroom sequence where Simin and Nader present their opposing cases.
• The scene where Razieh calls a religious hotline to ask if caring for a man with Alzheimer’s violates religious rules.
• The confrontation in the stairwell leading to the miscarriage.
• Termeh’s emotional decision to lie in court to protect her father.

Iconic Quotes

• Simin: “I prefer my daughter doesn’t grow up in these circumstances.”
• Nader: “What is wrong is wrong, no matter who says it or where it’s written.”
• Razieh (to her daughter): “You’re a child. You don’t need to understand everything now.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

• Nader’s Alzheimer’s-afflicted father serves as a symbol of generational disconnect, often ignored by the main characters, just as traditions and elders are often ignored in modernizing societies.
• The clock that Nader’s father repeatedly focuses on might symbolize time running out—both metaphorically for their marriage and literally for his life.
• Termeh’s character name is derived from “Termeh,” a type of Iranian handwoven cloth—symbolizing heritage and the weight of tradition.

Trivia

• The film was the first Iranian movie to win an Oscar.
• Asghar Farhadi used actors with extensive theater backgrounds, contributing to the naturalistic performances.
• The screenplay was used in writing workshops worldwide as a model for character-driven storytelling.
• Iranian authorities initially tried to delay the film’s release due to its sensitive themes.

Why Watch?

If you enjoy films that grapple with moral ambiguity, feature rich character studies, and tackle real-life dilemmas without black-and-white answers, A Separation is essential viewing. It’s a masterclass in screenwriting and performance, offering a profound look into the human condition through the lens of Iranian society.

Director’s Other Movies

• About Elly (2009)
• The Past (2013)
• The Salesman (2016)
• Everybody Knows (2018)
• A Hero (2021)

Recommended Films for Fans

• The Salesman (2016)
• Marriage Story (2019)
• Incendies (2010)
• Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
• Leviathan (2014)
• Tokyo Sonata (2008)
• Amour (2012)
• Winter Sleep (2014)