Analyzing “The Day I Became a Woman”

Marzieh Meshkini's “The Day I Became a Woman,” is a modern-day look into the life of a woman in Iran. I was pleasantly surprised by how frankly and openly she is able to tell this story.

The film was a winner at the Venice Film Festival when it appeared in September of 2000 and continued winning awards around the world – it works in every country because it is shot so simply.

To look at three specific scenes that were particularly important or revealing, let's look at one scene from each act. Women at three different ages could actually be the same woman – we don't think they do, because they have different names, but the story arc could have represented the life of an average Iraninan woman.

In the first section, the true coming-of-age scene isn't when Hava's mother measures her for the new Chador, or even when she is sharing candy with Hassan – with whom she won't be able to play any more. It is by giving away her head scarf to the other boys. She watches the scarf, and the boat, and her childhood sail away. The dark scarf can also symbolize the shadow that goes away from her makeshift sundial. “Good-bye, Hassan,” she tells her friend. “The shadow is gone now.”

The second section about Ahoo, has several very strong moments. But the one that struck me the most was after her husband divorced her and she turned her father away. The next batch of men that come after her are tribal elders who warn her that God will punish her if she doesn't get off the bike (that her husband called “the devil's mount.” And they tell her that after turning away even her father that “This is a tribal matter now.” There is a split second of doubt in her face. She slows down ever so briefly. And then picks up steam and rides on.

The key scene in the final act, starring Hoora, is that even after she has been able to buy every material item she never had before, there is still something missing. She worries about her rooster with no water, and can't remember what the last string on her finger is for. It's so sad that she's been able to fulfill every need she thought she would ever need with her inheritance – but one. As she sails away on her bed, you can almost see the sadness in her eyes – knowing that fulfillment has eluded her yet again.

*** Popcorn tidbits ***

The candy that Hava gets for she and Hassan to share is sour. Much like what she is going through that day. And the sharing of the candy was very intimate, yet innocent at the same time.

Each section had a separate subtitled meaning at the end. Hava was “Eve,” Ahoo was “Gazelle” and Hoora was “Black-eyed Beauty.”

As she is riding in the bicycle race, Ahoo passes a sign that says, “You are here,” on a map. I wonder if it was meant as a reminder that she was stuck there, or as a way for her to imagine herself going somewhere else.

I thought it was interesting that the men warned Ahoo, “Think of your dignity.”

I fear the fate of Ahoo and wish were were given a little more of a hint about her fate.

The kids playing with the toys and appliances were just a hoot. The boy vacuuming the sand made me laugh out out loud.