Set in contemporary Iran, A Separation is a compelling drama about the dissolution of a marriage. Simin wants to leave Iran with her husband, Nader, and daughter, Termeh. Simin sues for divorce when Nader refuses to leave behind his Alzheimer’s-suffering father. Since her request failed, Simin returns to her parents’ home, but Termeh decides to stay with Nader. When he hires a young woman to assist with his father in his wife’s absence, Nader hopes that his life will return to normal. However, when he discovers that the new maid has been lying to him, he realizes that there is more on the line than just his marriage.

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

A Separation is a detective story without any detectives. The audience is the one in charge of solving the puzzles; there will be as many answers as audiences. The film raises questions instead of imposing ideas and answers; everyone will focus on the most relevant point according to their own character and emotions. I feel like the time where directors were superior to their public, acting like an advisor or a messenger is past. At the same time, as viewers tend to be less passive and more involved in the story, they choose the angle from which they look at the film. That’s why I let the audience be the film detective.

— Asghar Farhadi

The film will be introduced by York College Professor Arsalan Paleshi.