Divorce: Iranian Style (Global Documentary) | Real Stories

Hilarious, tragic, stirring, this fly-on-the-wall look at several weeks in an Iranian divorce court provides a unique window into the intimate circumstances of Iranian women’s lives. Following Jamileh, whose husband beats her; Ziba, a 16-year-old trying to divorce her 38-year-old husband; and Maryam, who is desperately fighting to gain custody of her daughters, this deadpan chronicle showcases the strength, ingenuity, and guile with which they confront biased laws, a Kafaka-esque administrative system, and their husbands’ and families’ rage to gain divorces.

With the barest of commentary, acclaimed director Kim Longinotto turns her cameras on the court and lets it tell its own story. Dispelling images of Iran as a country of war, hostages, and “fatwas”, and Iranian women as passive victims of a terrible system, this film is a subtle, fascinating look at women’s lives in a country which is little known to most Americans.

Directed by Kim Longinotto and Ziba Mir-Hosseini, author of Marriage on Trial: A Study of Islamic Family Law.

Want to watch more full-length Documentaries?

Instagram - @realstoriesdocs

[thestraggletag]

"you must make yourself attractive to tempt him back"
"i wasted my youth and my life in this man's house". heart breaking :(

[italiani]

As it isn’t enough, the judge is pushing the little girl to say that she wants to get married and... the little girl best reply :”I don’t want to get married after I’ve seen here in court what husbands do to their wives!” What a priceless reply! Good job little girl!

[indigo]

The son who stood up for his mom seemed very sweet, hopefully when he got married, he treated his wife with love and respect.

[ghettotogether]

Very beautiful an touching documentary. thank you for keeping and sharing this priceless piece of work. As an Iranian who faced all of these problems as a kid, I went to my mom and said: "Hey ma, Look what I found. These people has the same problems as you did before." and she said: "You see a family court in Iran and you've seen them all. That's why the judges won't listen to people anymore cause they all have the same problems!" My mom divorced like 22 or 23 years after this movie and it's very unfortunate and sad to say that we got the same problems in our society still! You know it's illegal in Iran to take any camera or phone or etc. to court, This proves the high value of this documentary. Thanks again and may God help us all!

[karimequesada]

The worse part was when the lady who worked in the court started talking against the woman who had divorced and remarried. Women against women is even worse tan men against women

[t.l.]

“You must live together for 3 months after the divorce”. I’m sorry, what?! The woman said it, “What if he does something to me?” What a set up for disaster.

[theklaacha]

The 2nd woman! She's so pushy with things, she knows how things work, she knows why they "lost" her file. They play games on her, she teaches them the rules! ❤️

[LauraSmith]

The little girl playing the Judge was priceless. She has some wisdom about life. She would be a good judge.

[butterflylife]

Damn that 16 year old girl is so smart, playing it from all sides, humble, brave, brash, strong, innocent. She should take that marriage gift and get a law degree.

[lastnamepinto]

Courts: "Remove all that make up...wipe it all off"

10 minutes later "You must make yourself attractive to win him back"

[athiramanoj]

I really appreciate the cousin who support the 16 year old girl. We need more men like him

[peacepalestinesyria]

This is such an extraordinary documentary on so many levels. Almost each of these micro-stories has a very dramatic arc but with moments of tenderness and even humour. The incredible ability of the women to fight for their rights, still hoping they will obtain them, even though they constantly hit a brick wall, are judged as always being at fault, and are even given so many hurdles to jump and expected to renounce was nothing short of inspiring. Even the very young woman and the child had a mature and determined way of expressing themselves. What is heartbreaking (among the many terribly sad things) is that these men refuse to pay the women what was promised, which is important because the price was also based on them being virgins, (therefore less valuable in further marriages) and being there to serve and obey, even when the men did almost nothing to be worthy of all this obedience. I truly hope that at some point the filmmakers are able to find these people and let them talk about how their lives progressed. I was also stunned that there were no real professional figures to assist these women, that they would write their petitions on the street. The judge already knew what he wanted the result to be as soon as he laid eyes on the women. Telling a woman to change and “win back” her husband who was cruel and controlling was all he could think of to say. As if the fault of divorce was always with the women being unable to please the men. So much food for thought here, and so much admiration for these women who deserve so much more.

[angelsandocean]

I admire 16 years old girl. Such a strong outspoken character. Honest and intelligent! Her logic is strong! She should be the judge!

[doof]

Wierd how the papers have been 'misplaced' everytime a woman wants her dowry back...

[ATK]

"you must make yourself attractive to win him back" bruh, have you seen her husband?

[sequillawilliams]

The little girl playing judge brought me so much joy I hope the opportunity to actually be a judge one day is available to her

[walkingInGodsGrace]

This 16 year old, wow, proud of her, she stands up for herself better that adults 2 times her age.

[ddedwards]

The little girl is so cute and smart!!! All the best to her in life.
I felt so sad for the son who was hit for standing up for his mother. He looked so hurt by the experience. I hope all the best in life for him too.

[faustinakavoa]

Judge: you must make yourself attractive to win him back
Woman: I don't want him at all

🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[king_familytraveladventure]

I watched this about 7 years ago and it popped back up n my feed today. Still shocking to see a young teenage girl trying desperately to divorce her old husband. Old men have no business messing with young teenage girls. He is old enough to be her father. So disgusting. Loved the clap back, "Serves you right for marrying a 14 year old girl."