Woman and Child

The life of 45-year-old widow Mahnaz revolves around her work – she is a nurse in a hospital – and bringing up her two children. Her eldest child, Aliyar, causes her the most trouble, as he pays no heed to the rules at school, resulting in him being suspended. Meanwhile, she is busy preparing for her wedding to Hamid. One day, whilst the children are with their grandfather, a horrific incident takes place that turns her whole life – and that of her family – upside down. Mahnaz sets out, determined, in search of answers and justice.

In his previous film, Leila’s Brothers, the Iranian director Saeed Roustaee showed crystal-clearly the state of relations between men and women in Iranian society: the man is in charge, the woman must obey. In his new film, Woman and Child, he once again turns his camera on patriarchy. The result is a gripping and emotional drama told at a brisk pace.