The film “Leila’s Brothers” takes a fresh and sociological look at the visible and hidden layers of incorrect social and cultural relationships in Iranian society; a society that, according to the film’s screenwriter, is synonymous with being a victim, being trapped in ignorance and backwardness, and continuing to be unaware. In this film, Mr. Rural, the director of the film who is also the screenwriter, makes great efforts to use symbolic and artistic references to delve into the depths of the wrong and abnormal relationships of Iranians throughout their lives, devoid of progress and far from modern ways of life, as well as lacking in social principles and standards, where chaos and turmoil reign instead of law and justice, and each generation must pay the price for this lawlessness and traditional and religious wrong relationships, passing it on to the next generation. A society that is sick and its illness is chronic and dangerous, to the point that it makes people’s lives bitter with failure, defeat, and separation.

The Brothers of Leila want to bring up a new topic; a topic that has not received enough attention and has been neglected by sociologists, writers, and artists. This film takes a fresh look at the inner layers of Iranian society and is a film with a meaningful and social message. We can consider this film as a messenger and related to the “Free Life Women’s Movement” and introduce it as a starting point for this great popular movement. In any case, the subject of this film is a tangible, bitter, and devastating reality that has been stuck to the neck of Iranian society for centuries and has dragged it down to complete destruction.

Unfortunately, like our other neglects of our history and culture, we have been oblivious to this social, historical, and cultural problem for centuries without paying attention or being careful. Even the people of literature and art in our land have not paid attention to it in the long years of the seven human arts. If we pay a little attention and look curiously at the story of the film, we will understand what it is trying to convey. The problem of Iranian society is the issue of the frozen minds and decaying thoughts that have been passed down to future generations based on old and decaying customs and traditions. In other words, it is the problem of gerontocracy rooted in the ignorance of the ancient covenant and blind religious and sectarian prejudices. The bitter reality of our historical, cultural, and social situation, which has dragged Iranian society into decline for centuries, has gripped the society so tightly that it seems it will never be able to break free. This destructive problem, which has deep roots

The customs and traditions that have their roots in ignorance and superstitions, as well as the invaders such as the Arabs and Mongols, have entered this country. The older and previous generations, based on their false beliefs, act as the ultimate authority and guide for others. These examples of ignorance and foolishness, misery and backwardness, have absolute control over everything, and the people, based on customs, habits, and negative and false teachings, accept this type of life structure and may even consider it sacred and necessary, and count their honor and credibility in adhering to all these fabrications and superstitions. They follow their elders and repeat their words.

According to this tradition, fathers and grandfathers, and in some cases mothers and grandmothers, are considered the main decision-makers in all family matters and the rest must follow their decisions without questioning. Grandparents, in addition to the misfortunes they have in their own personal lives, also endanger the lives of future generations with their ignorance and foolishness. According to this flawed tradition, the older person is always the decision-maker and leader in all family, clan, and tribal affairs, and no one has the right to speak above them. But the question is, who is this elder? It is someone who looks to the past and suffers from the painful historical and cultural backwardness and is immersed in ignorance and superstition, and has even suffered from mental decline.

Despite their ignorance and lack of understanding of societal realities, this person makes decisions in their family and community based on tradition and custom. They consider themselves entitled to interfere in all aspects of others’ lives and anyone who defies them will be excommunicated. Furthermore, no one has the right to criticize this person, as they are generally not receptive to criticism and view any criticism as an insult.

This person is known as the manager and organizer of the family, but in reality, they have no knowledge of management and do not understand the basic principles of life. Their behavior and social relationships are imitative and unaware, and they do not fully understand what society is and what the community looks like. Common traits of these individuals include selfishness, irresponsibility, and delusion and ignorance. The manipulative behaviors of these individuals also lead them to give away everything they have for their own selfish desires. These personalities use manipulation to gain the approval of others and be praised by them, but in reality, their existence is only a symbol of poverty, misery, and darkness in their family and tribe.

“They have lost everything in their selfishness, foolishness, and ignorance and now they are determined to repeat this foolishness for future generations. These individuals see future generations as their target for exploitation and without any consideration for life, they cause the downfall of children and other people close to them. In their perspective, society and family are a tool that they can use to create any mischief, while their intelligence and senses are no longer present in their behavior and actions. This type of behavior is similar to that of slave owners and masters with their servants, who are only there to serve them and have no right to object. These individuals are actually seeking power and control over others and are by no means the best resources for leadership and guidance.”

The sad point is that the destructive tradition and custom have been accepted by the majority of society, and they consider following the backward behavior of elderly individuals as a valuable quality and see it as their duty to abide by it. Mothers and grandmothers also play a fundamental role in this major issue. Grandmothers, if given the opportunity, behave like grandfathers and at the very least, they are the best means for enforcing their orders and are always there to support and mourn with them in all their destructive actions. One of the numerous examples of such behaviors is the cooperation of Akbar Khoramdin’s wife with her husband in the brutal murder of their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson, which recently happened in Tehran.

According to this tradition, older brothers also consider themselves the most entitled person in the family in such situations and after their parents, or in their absence, and do not believe in the rights and privileges of younger family members.

I have a friend named Reza. He says his mother-in-law is over a hundred years old and has been living with them for almost fifty years. He says that his mother-in-law lost her parents at a young age and as the only child, she inherited all of her parents’ wealth. After growing up and marrying her husband (who happened to have good financial conditions), she spent all of her possessions over the years on showing off to her relatives. She even sold her mother’s silver coins and gave them away to different people. She continued this foolishness for many years until she had nothing left and ended up in poverty. As soon as she lost her possessions, her relatives abandoned her and left her to her own fate. Reza says, “For almost fifty years, she has been a burden on our shoulders and has brought destruction upon our lives, especially her poor daughter’s life. She wanders around the house like a blind and lost snake, causing chaos and arguments. She

Reza emphasizes that “this is a side of misery in our life, the other side is also my older brother who has taken all of our father’s inheritance and has no regard for my rights and the rights of my other sisters and brothers.”

On the other side of the coin

Of course, this was one side of the coin. The other side, the coin of Iranian society, has yet to be examined and compared. Our society must be a sleepy and drowsy one, a society that has no interest in understanding its own identity and lacks the concept and value of authenticity. This society has no criteria for determining its worth and understanding its identity, and for centuries it has been confused and bewildered. The people of Iran pray in Arabic, but speak in Persian and use European and American inventions and tools; people who praise the Quran in Arabic, a language they do not understand, without knowing the context of its revelation or the meaning of its Arabic words.

Here, briefly and concisely, the mistakes and errors that fathers and grandfathers have made in their social relationships were mentioned. However, there was no opportunity to discuss how these individuals themselves have been victims of wrong social relationships, and everything is still unclear. Undoubtedly, fathers and grandfathers were children and teenagers of the past, and today’s youth will be the fathers and grandfathers of tomorrow’s society. Therefore, it must be considered that this is a serious problem and fathers and grandfathers, as well as mothers and grandmothers, are themselves victims of this ignorance and blind imitation that has been prevalent in Iranian society for centuries and continues to this day.

Undoubtedly, a new thought must be put forth; the same thought that today shouts the slogan of “women’s life of freedom” with all its might and pain.