A trio of seemingly non-connected stories create the visually and symbolically beautiful Iranian film "The Day I Became a Woman". It is an interesting, if occasionally redundant peek into one perspective on the phases of a woman's life in Iran. Each of the three stories deals with women attempting in their own way to assert themselves, as a means to overcome the cultural constraints of being a woman in this country. The film is heavy on symbolism, which at times works wonderfully, but frequently bogs down any attempts that are made toward story.
The second segment is the weakest, as it chooses style over substance with a fantastic usage of a constantly moving camera to symbolically convey women advancing (on bicycle) beyond men (on antiquated horseback). The results, however, are boredom, and not of vicarious triumph. The first story is a charming view at childhood that meanders, much like a child, but is ultimately far too chatty for its own good. The visuals express more than any of the dialogue translated for the English subtitles. The humorous and visually striking third segment makes up any squirming during the rest of it.
"The Day I Became a Woman" may be a difficult film to get through with American sensibilities, but if taken for its parts instead of its whole it's well worth it.
The second segment is the weakest, as it chooses style over substance with a fantastic usage of a constantly moving camera to symbolically convey women advancing (on bicycle) beyond men (on antiquated horseback). The results, however, are boredom, and not of vicarious triumph. The first story is a charming view at childhood that meanders, much like a child, but is ultimately far too chatty for its own good. The visuals express more than any of the dialogue translated for the English subtitles. The humorous and visually striking third segment makes up any squirming during the rest of it.
"The Day I Became a Woman" may be a difficult film to get through with American sensibilities, but if taken for its parts instead of its whole it's well worth it.