Women Without Men is a 2009 film directed by Iranian artist Shirin Neshat. The movie is based on a novel called Zanan Bedoone Mardan (Women Without Men) written by Iranian author Shahrnush Parsipur.
Set in the backdrop of Iran's 1953 coup d'état, the story revolves around four women who come from different walks of life and find themselves disillusioned with society. The women - Munis, Faezeh, Zarin, and Fakhri - meet in a magical orchard garden where they find peace and solace from the oppressive male-dominated society.
Munis is a political activist who is struggling to make a difference in her country. Faezeh is a wealthy and beautiful woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage. Zarin is a prostitute who escapes her miserable life and seeks refuge in the orchard garden. Fakhri is a middle-aged woman who has sacrificed her happiness for her family.
In the orchard, the women find a space where they are free from the constraints of their surroundings. Here, they form a bond, share their stories and lean on each other for support. As they navigate their way through the patriarchal society, they each find their own path towards independence and self-discovery.
The film's stunning visuals, dreamlike landscape, and rich symbolism make it a poetic journey that explores the themes of feminism, politics, and freedom. Women Without Men won the Silver Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 2009.