A Separation

A Separation should be subtitled, nothing is ever black and white, certainly not in a relationship where the couple in question feel that they want to know that their partner is committed before they commit themselves. The film also appears to be an exploration in how to answer a question by asking another, 'are you guilty?', 'well do you think I'm guilty? The story is centred around Nader and Simin who start the film by discussing with a judge in court about whether they can get a divorce or not. The judge is not convinced that they want to divorce, Simin wants to leave Iran as well but there is the complication of their 11 year old daughter. The couple separate, and after Simin leaves the family home, Nader employs a woman to clean the house and to look after his father, who as Alzheimer's while he's at work. She is also pregnant and due to series of unfortunate events she loses her baby. The film then changes tack and discusses and explores the ins and outs of these occurrences. The very clever device of nobody really admitting anything until the very last minute is skilfully employed here. The film really stretches out how far you can go if you're in love with someone and how much space and room you can give them to make their own mistakes. It also discusses beautifully the nature of trust and how that can work and how it can leave you desperate. There is also no music in this film, you're often left with the sounds of Tehran's traffic in the background. That is significant as well as you the viewer have to make up your own mind how to react to the tragedies and comedies portrayed here.