What were your thoughts at the end of the film when Hashem admitted he was forced to lie?

1- What were your thoughts at the end of the film when Hashem admitted he was forced to lie?

At the end of the film, Hashem admitted that Ali and his people forced him to lie about Soraya. While watching the film, I was very shocked when Hashem said that Soraya asked to nap at his home when he was being interrogated. When I was watching the film, I could tell that Hashem was very genuine and obviously very upset after his wife got sick and passed away and didn’t want anything from Soraya except for her to cook, clean and help take care of his son.

Hashem told Ali and the mayor that Soyaya was unfaithful to her husband which lead to her being stoned. Hashem was threatened that if he didn’t lie his son, Mohson, would be an orphan. His son is all he has since his wife just passed away. What were your thoughts when you watched the end of the film and realized he lied? What would you have done if you were Hashem?

2- In the scene where Soraya is accused and confronted by the mayor, Ali and Hashem, the mayor begins to explain Iranian law. What do these laws imply about the role of women and men in countries where stoning occurs?

The mayor begins to explain to Soraya that two men are accusing her of actions unworthy of a wife and mother, and asks if she can prove her innocence. As she cries she states: “They’re accusing me, they have to prove it.” The mayor goes on to explain: “When a man accuses his wife she must prove her innocence… on the other hand if a wife accuses her husband she must prove his guilt.” Soraya’s aunt then angrily makes the point, “All women are guilty and all men are innocent.”

How do you think the men felt after the stoning was carried out, knowing she was truly innocent?

3- Why do you think the Mayor didn’t stop the stoning after the circus interrupting or Soraya’s dad missing signs?

Before the stoning the Mayor prayed and asked God for a sign on whether the stoning is the right decision of the wrong. When the sirens from the circus van came my mind automatically thought that this was the sign and the Mayor would stop everything. But the Mayor did not do anything after this. The when Soraya’s dad was missing while stoning and the older lady even told the Mayor that this is the sign that he prayed for. The Mayor even stepped up and I thought again that he would do something about it. Yet, the Mayor did not do anything and this disturbed me because I felt like he knew it was all wrong but he didn’t do anything about it. I don’t know why the Mayor would do this and what his reasoning was.