The Stoning of Soraya M

Saturday evening, Nick and I attended one of the Drexel Theaters weeklong showings of The Stoning of Soraya M. Let me say up-front, I usually don’t care for movies once I’ve read the book it’s based on. This was one of 3 that my minds eye had pictured. (The Boy in the Stripped Pajamas and Defiance are the others)

Initially the movie was in limited release, in only a dozen or so theaters, across the country. I’d read the book upon its publication years before 9/11 and before islam was even noticed in America. Blame it on my Jewish background.

The movie is 2 hours long and could have been made into a mini-series. Some information was left out, I believe because of time, but never deviated from the written word. The history of the journalist and a few more details regarding Soraya could have been added and wasn’t noticed if you didn’t read the book. Only a few conversations are in English so you have to read the subtitles.

I wasn’t the only one blowing their nose and unfolding popcorn napkins to dry their eyes. This is a powerful, insightful movie showing one of dangers that the Jimmah Carter administration helped to reinstall in Iran. If you have the opportunity to see this movie, please do. You won’t be disappointed.