Stoned into Action

I just returned from seeing "The Stoning of Soraya M." It's a film based on the true story (if it can even be called such a light-sounding thing) of an Iranian woman who was stoned to death by her village after being convicted wrongly of adultery.

The words that came to mind when steeling myself to keep watching were:

"This is insane."

"It's so easy for them to do this."

"I'm not surprised."

Scary and sad all at the same time. And the emotional response -- a seething anger. And a resolute sense that things have to change.  The crimes are so inhuman. The injustice so insane. And oh how easy it all is. Doing wrong is very easy. Doing right is very hard.

If it's playing at an "aware" theatre near you, see it. The performances are incredible. When you're sitting there, take a moment to look around and nod a silent acknowledgement of thanks and appreciation to those who are sitting in the dark with you. Because it's not an easy thing to watch. At all. And everyone going in knows it. So hopefully they are kindred spirits, so be heartened. If you are alone in the theatre, take heart that at least you are there.

Learn more at the film's Web site here.