Travelling to the heart of an emotional, outspoken and human Islamic Republic
In Tehran’s Family Shani’a Law Courts
, three women are attempting to secure their rights in the face of a hostile marriage situation. Newly re-married Maryan wants to prise custody of her children from their neglectful father. Jamileh is seeking an address of her husband’s violent abuse, and 16-year-old Ziba wants a divorce from a husband nearly three times her age.
In a land that strictly adheres to ancient codes, the only legal grounds for divorcing one’s husband are insanity, impotence or financial incompetence. But,far from bowing to submission, these women are glowering under their chadors and determined to take their spouses to task. With fly-on-the-wall invisibility, Longinotto’s film plunges us into the heart of an emotional, outspoken and human Islamic Republic.
