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Iranian director Marziyeh Meshkini's film takes a poignant look at three generations of women. Comprised of three different, but vaguely linked stories, "The Day I Became a Woman" challenges the social and religious restrictions that Iranian culture imposes on its female members. Yet, instead of taking a heavy handed or even overtly political stance, Meshkini lets her film-making do all the work, crafting these lyrical, haunting episodes into wonderful stories, great pieces of cinema and, above all, warmly human works.
The first story gives the film its title. Hava (Akhar) turns nine and, in accordance with Islamic law, becomes a woman. She has just one hour left to say goodbye to her friend before she must return home to a life of seclusion. In the second story, an older girl enters a bicycle race. Ignoring the angry relatives who follow her on horseback, she keeps pedalling. In the third episode, an elderly woman goes on an absurd spending spree, setting up her possessions on the beach.
Winner of a raft of awards from film festivals as diverse as Venice, Toronto, and Oslo, "The Day I Became a Woman" is a fascinating film. Its simplicity hides a wonderful depth of feeling and intent that speaks volumes about the restrictions imposed on women by religion, and by society's strict belief in defining behaviour in accordance with gender. As a Middle Eastern film with a feminist thrust, it's unlikely to be seen by the majority of cinemagoers, but don't let your preconceptions dissuade you: this is a beautiful gem.
In Farsi with English subtitles.
