Official promotional poster. Rights belong to the respective rights holders.
View the film source Availability and pricing vary by region.A SeparationA movie brief.
2011 / Drama / Directed by Asghar Farhadi
A family's future hangs in the balance of a painful separation.
What is A Separation about?
An Iranian middle-class couple separates, affecting their 10-year-old daughter. The husband hires a lower-class caregiver for his elderly father with Alzheimer's disease.
Five things to know.
Setup
The film centers around Nader, Simin, and their daughter Termeh, an upper-middle-class family in Tehran.
World
The movie offers a nuanced portrayal of Iranian society, exploring themes of class, justice, and family dynamics.
Pressure
The separation of Nader and Simin leads to a series of conflicts and claims that put pressure on the family.
Craft
The film features realistic acting, intimate cinematography, and fast-paced editing, resulting in a deeply engaging narrative.
Viewing Note
Viewers should be prepared for a thought-provoking and emotionally charged film that explores complex social issues.
A thought to take with you.
The couple's decision to separate creates a chain of practical and legal disputes involving their daughter and an elderly parent. Each person gives a plausible account shaped by what they fear losing, so the film makes judgment difficult without pretending that all consequences are equal.
Is it your kind of movie?
Choose it for an Iranian family drama built around a dispute that keeps changing as new facts emerge. It is dialogue-led and morally nuanced.
Sources & scope
This AI-assisted brief is based on the linked secondary reference. Facts and interpretation are separated; it does not claim personal viewing or independent expert review.
Source details checked October 10, 2026. Suggest a correction · Our editorial approach