The Day I Became a Woman (***1/2)
review by Jon Waterman

This Iranian film tells the story of three women in three different sections. The first part focuses on Hava whose ninth birthday means she is officially a woman now. She’s supposed to stay home and help with preparations, but all she wants to do is play with her friend that is suddenly considered (by her grandmother) too immature for her. Next we follow Ahoo as she rides her bicycle in a race. Various family members and friends come along and try to convince her to stop riding and go back to her husband. Lastly, Hoora’s story is told. She is an old woman that goes on a large shopping spree to by a house worth of appliances: something she’s never had before.

First time director/writer (dialogue) Marzieh Meshkini does an astonishing job on this film. We are instantly on the side of each of the three leads and instantly captivated by what’s going on. The cinematography, story and acting are all great. The camera work is fantastic. It combines well-composed static shots with very nice moving shots. The ride-away shot at the end of Ahoo’s story was very long and very powerful. The film is powerful, yet sparse.

There’s no lighting that I could really find. Most of the film is shot outside along a beach setting. The indoor shots are shot naturally at the mall while Hoora spends her money. Even when she gets the stuff for her house, it’s all placed on the beach. Now, this isn’t to say that the lighting doesn’t enter into the film. It does. In fact, the first sequence relies on it. Hava is allowed to go out and play until noon. She’s given a stick to watch the shadow of the sun. The continuity and consistency in this sequence is much better than most American films would care to produce.

Marzieh wrote the dialogue, but didn’t have much to write. The movie is not afraid to go silent. There are long sequences without dialogue or music. In fact, I don’t recall hearing any music at all, even though it was there (by Ahmad Reza Darvish). Either way, both are relatively minimal which makes the movie both daring and more effective. You know to pay attention when people speak. They don’t just rattle off about whatever for two hours. It all has a purpose.

I recommend seeing this if given the opportunity. It is powerful and emotional and not in a men are scum way. There are a lot of sweet moments like when Hava shares her candy with her friend through a window. The movie is strong, empowering to women, intelligent and technically very well made.

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