Two Women

I thought this movie was an amazing portrayal of the entrapment faced by many women in the Middle East and the movie did an excellent job depicting the "taboo" subject of spousal abuse in the Middle East. It was really interesting to see the relationship of Roya and Fereshteh develop and how the two women coped with different aspects of their culture. The series of flashbacks added depth to the video. We notice from the beginning the movie the differences between Roya and Fereshteh. Roya is well off and Feresteh is smart and beautiful. Feresteh is adored by many suitors and situations become threatening when one in particular who stalks her with a knife and acid. Due to the problematic situations that occurred while Feresteh was at the University, she was forced to go back home and was also forced into a marriage that she was a fan of. Fereshteh's marriage was anything but a fairytale. Her husband was controlling and manipulative. Feresteh lost all respect for herself and found herself stuck at home with no means of communication. Her only hidden pleasure was her books that she had to keep from her husband. The couple could not hold a conversation without fighting and matters became so bad that her husband ran them off the road in a heat argument while they had their new baby in the car with them. While her husband was away, Feresteh would encourage her boys to read, however once her husband found out, he was outraged. He wanted to have complete control of Feresteh which meant not letting her further her education by any means. Feresteh could not stand the confinements under which she was held and was forced to flee. Little did she know that her old stalker was waiting for his revenge. It an effort to protect his wife, Feresteh's husband ran to her defense only to be left in critical condition which ultimately led to his death. Feresteh did not know what or how to react to the situation. You could sense her relief yet she was terrified for her children's future. However not once did she show remorse to her dead husband. She questioned whether or not she really loved him but she did not feel sorrow for him. She felt more sorrow for herself that she was going to have to manage on her own. The movie ended with Feresteh contemplating different scenarios for her life. But how was she going to manage? How was she going to live for herself and for her children after being confined for so long? The movie left you wondering and that's what a truly liked about it.