"
A Separation" (2011) just won the Oscar for
Best Foreign Film and, curiously, was also nominated for
Best Original Screenplay. I'm normally
not a big fan of foreign films, since you're trying to watch the action while reading subtitles. But this film has almost no action, so it's easy to follow everything that happens.
Before seeing it, since it was made in Iran, I just
assumed that it had been smuggled out and would be 123 minutes of criticizing the Iranian government or oppression of women.
NOT TRUE! It's a well-written drama, almost a mystery. So pay attention to early scenes! Don't be surprised if it's remade in English, with the Muslim characters changed to Christians.
A Separation is now ranked #67 on Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB), the highest rank of any film released in 2011.
If you've seen it, send me a Private Message (PM). An Iranian posted that a few lines were poorly translated into English. The film makes more sense with the correct translation, but the error won't spoil the overall appreciation for the story.
A Separation is still playing at:
AMC Loews Shirlington 7, 2772 South Randolph St, Arlington, VA
Landmark E Street Cinema, 555 11th Street, NW, Washington, DC
Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Avenue, Bethesda, MD