A Separation (2011) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Simin's divorce request was dismissed because the family court deemed her reason for seeking divorce inadequate. She wanted to move abroad for better opportunities, but Nader refused to leave his ailing father who has Alzheimer's. The court did not consider this a sufficient grounds for divorce under Iranian law.

• divorce
• court
• simin
• iran
• law

Nader accused Razieh of neglecting his father and stealing money meant for moving expenses. When Razieh refused to leave without compensation, Nader forcibly expelled her from the apartment, causing her to stumble down a flight of stairs.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Razieh had struggled with the overwhelming demands of caring for the elderly man, who had become increasingly difficult to manage.

• nader
• razieh
• fired
• stairs
• neglect

Razieh suffered a miscarriage after being pushed by Nader and falling down the stairs. However, she later confided in Simin that she had been struck by a car prior to the stairs incident, adding complexity to determining what actually caused the miscarriage.

• miscarriage
• razieh
• car accident
• stairs
• nader

Razieh claimed that Nader overheard a conversation between her and Termeh's tutor about seeking medical advice, proving he knew about her pregnancy. However, Nader denied this, and the tutor initially backed his claim.

• pregnancy
• razieh
• nader
• tutor
• testimony

After initially believing Razieh's claims, Termeh was persuaded by her father to protect him from potential murder charges. He explained he had misled the adults for their own protection and could not risk imprisonment. To shield her father, Termeh told the judge he was oblivious to Razieh's pregnancy until she disclosed it.

Foreshadowing: The tutor later retracted their statement supporting Nader, creating further doubt.

• termih
• testimony
• father
• protect
• judge

Nader demanded that Razieh swear on the Qur'an that he caused her miscarriage, but she could not meet this demand. This was because she had been struck by a car prior to the stairs incident, meaning she could not truthfully swear that Nader's push caused the miscarriage.

Foreshadowing: This detail emerged when Razieh confided in Simin about the car accident.

• quran
• oath
• miscarriage
• razieh
• truth

Hodjat, Razieh's husband, had recently been laid off from his long-held job as a cobbler, leaving him without income or dignity. This frustration often led him to lash out violently at others, including threatening Termeh's safety.

• hodjat
• violence
• unemployed
• cobbler
• frustration

The tutor initially backed Nader's claim that he did not overhear conversations about Razieh's pregnancy. However, they later retracted their statement, though the specific reasons for this change are not detailed in the film.

• tutor
• retraction
• statement
• testimony

When Simin moved back to her parents' home after the divorce request was dismissed, Termeh chose to stay with her father Nader. This decision set up the central conflict of the film, as she became caught between her parents' dispute and the subsequent legal battle.

• termih
• custody
• father
• mother
• choice

While Razieh and her daughter Somayeh were preoccupied, the elderly man with Alzheimer's escaped and wandered into the street. Razieh had to rush out and navigate through traffic to retrieve him, highlighting the overwhelming nature of her caregiving duties.

• alzheimer
• elderly
• street
• razieh
• escape

Nader accused Razieh of stealing money that was meant for moving expenses. However, the money had actually been used by Simin for visa preparations, not by Razieh. This false accusation contributed to the confrontation and eventual violence.

• money
• theft
• nader
• razieh
• accusation

After a lengthy process filled with grievances, accusations, and the legal battle over Razieh's miscarriage, the family court eventually granted Nader and Simin their divorce. The film does not specify the exact legal grounds for the final decision.

• divorce
• family court
• granted
• nader
• simin

During court proceedings, Nader argued that the staircase railing would have kept Razieh safe if she had simply fallen. Therefore, it was implausible that she could have fallen down the stairs as she claimed, suggesting her story was fabricated or exaggerated.

• railings
• defense
• court
• stairs
• nader

The film concludes with Nader and Simin waiting separately outside the family court as Termeh prepares to tell the judge whom she wishes to live with. This moment remains unresolved, capturing the emotional turmoil and the difficult choice facing the young daughter.

• termih
• choice
• judge
• live
• parents