Women Without Men Overview

Tehran, 1953. A British- and American-backed coup topples Mohammed Mossadegh's democratically-elected government and installs the Shah as dictator.

Over the course of several days four disparate women from Iranian society are brought together. Fakhri, a middle-aged woman trapped in a loveless marriage must contend with her feelings for an old flame who has just returned from America and walked back into her life.

Zarin, a young prostitute, tries to escape the devastating realization that she can no longer see the faces of men. Munis, a politically-awakened young woman, must resist the seclusion imposed on her by her religiously traditional brother, while her friend Faezeh remains oblivious to the turmoil in the streets and longs only to marry Munis' domineering brother.

As the political turmoil swells in the streets of Tehran, each woman is liberated from her predicament. Munis becomes an active part of the political struggle by plunging to her death. Fakhri frees herself from the chains of her stagnant marriage by leaving her husband and purchasing a mystical orchard in the outskirts of the city. Faezeh is taken to the orchard by Munis to face her own awakened self where Zarin has found solace in her communion with the land. But it is only a matter of time before the world outside the walls of the orchard seep into the lives of these four women as their country's history takes a tragic turn.

Adapted from the novel by Iranian author Shahrnush Parsipur. In Persian, with English subtitles.

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