LEILA

Iran, 1997, 125 minutes, Colour
Leila Hatami, Ali Mosaffa.
Directed by Dariush Mehrjui.

Leila is a very strong film about women in Iranian society. The young Lila marries, happily, but soon discovers that she and her husband are not able to have children. The medical difficulty is with her. Her mother-in-law pesters her, dominates her and tries to persuade her to let her son marry a second wife so that they can have children. The film shows the pain for Lila, the pressure, the love of her husband who is happy to be married to her and does not need children. However, as the film progresses, Lila feels the pressure and ultimately gives in. The result is the destruction of all people concerned.

Dariush Mehrjui has been making films in Iran for several decades. This is a very serious film, critical of the attitudes of Iranian society, weak husbands, dominating older women. The film is also explicit in its religious language and presentation of religious ceremonies.

Lila Hatami was the daughter of a famous director and worked almost solely in his films. After Lila she made Deserted Station.

The film represents the social concern of film-makers in the 1990s, the fact that the Islamic revolution was in place and they felt then that they could be appropriately critical via their films.

1. The impact of the film for Iranian society? Outsiders? For those interested in the codes of the Iranian tradition?

2. The city locations, streets and homes, parks, doctors' offices? The affluent society? The meals and celebrations? The musical score?

3. The place of women in Iranian society, their dress, second to the men? Arranged marriages? The possibility of love within marriage? Family? The importance of having children? The interference of the in-laws? Strong women? Indecisive men? The possibility of having a second wife? Issues of divorce? How well did the film dramatise all these issues and communicate the emotional intensity of those involved?

4. The voice-over by Leila? Her perceptions on herself, the marriage, her husband? The issue of the children? His remarriage? Her comments about the ultimate situation, the wedding, her hardness, the child? The future and the child learning about her father and mother?

5. The character of Leila, young and beautiful, bright? The encounter with Reza? Her comment about the celebration? The marriage? Her discovery about her not being able to have children? Going to the doctor, the interview, waiting a week for the tests? The incessant phone calls from the family and her reaction? Her saying she was ready for him to marry a woman who could give him a child? His saying that she was sufficient for him? The discussions at home, in the car? The interference of the mother-in-law, the phone calls? The visits? The insinuations, the pressure? Leila going with Reza when he interviewed the prospective wives? His telling her the stories afterwards? Time passing, the pressure? Her decision for a new wife? To bring up the child of the wife? Her glimpse of the new wife, her saying she had a sense of freedom? The preparation for the wedding, buying the ring, suggesting where to buy the dress? The ceremony, her staying at home? Her contact with Reza's father and his support of her? Reza's sisters and their change of heart, going against their mother? Leila advising them to go to the wedding? The wedding party returning, Reza going to her room, her leaving, going home, her not having told the family the truth? Reza following, his love for her, her refusing to go with him? The glimpse of Reza with the child coming to her home for the celebration? Her still not changing her mind? Her future?

6. Reza, his friendship with Leila's family, brother? The marriage? The issue of not having children, his declaration of love for her, happy to be with her without children? The pressure of his mother, the phone calls? His trying to discern what Leila wanted? Interviewing the women, telling the stories with the touch of mockery? The time passing, Leila and the pressure? His not being able to make a decision and stand up to his mother? The preparation for the marriage, buying the ring? Dressing for the ceremony? Leila preparing the house? The return of the wedding party, his apology? Walking the streets, following her? Wanting her back? The child, his bringing her up? Yet his being alone and never remarrying?

7. The mother-in-law, her dominance, the phone calls, the visits, antagonism with her husband, pressurising her daughters? Her joy at the birth? Her having to look after the child for the future?

8. Reza's family, the sisters, their ultimate support? His father and his support? His love for Leila? Her own family, their not knowing the reality, their supporting her at the end?

9. The new bride, in an arranged marriage, hoping to love her husband, the birth of the child, ready for the divorce?

10. The religious dimension of the film, the God-language, the ceremonies and celebrations?

11. An interesting insight into Iranian society and traditions?