The Patience Stone

The Patience Stone

Year: 2013

Runtime: 102 min

Language: Persian

Director: Atiq Rahimi

DramaWar

Amidst a war-torn Muslim country, a courageous woman seeks comfort in the quiet moments, confiding her most intimate desires, buried secrets, and unexpressed yearnings to her comatose husband. As she confronts the harsh realities of their surroundings, she grapples with themes of enduring love, profound loss, and the will to survive in a landscape marked by conflict and uncertainty.

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Timeline – The Patience Stone (2013)

Trace every key event in The Patience Stone (2013) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

The Legend of the Syng-e-saboor

In Persian folklore, the mystical stone known as the Syng-e-saboor, or the Patience Stone, is introduced. This stone is believed to absorb the deepest secrets and sorrows of those who confide in it until it eventually shatters, offering a release from their burdens.

2

War-Torn Kabul

Set against a backdrop of post-Soviet occupied Kabul, the city becomes a battlefield where factions of mujahidin clash. The devastation of the city mirrors the inner turmoil of the characters, creating a haunting atmosphere filled with tension and conflict.

Kabul
3

A Comatose Husband

A man lies comatose in a hospital bed, having been struck down during a senseless act of fratricide. His wife remains by his side, praying for his recovery while desperately holding onto hope amidst chaos.

Hospital in Kabul
4

Isolation and Despair

The Wife, feeling isolated with her two daughters, musters the courage to venture outside to secure essentials. However, she faces rejection from water-carriers and pharmacists, deepening her despair as she struggles to care for her family.

Kabul
5

Seeking Refuge

With danger looming, the Wife reluctantly visits her aunt, who runs a brothel, seeking a glimmer of kinship. Leaving her daughters behind for their safety, she embraces the unsettling reality of her circumstances but eventually returns to her husband.

Brothel in Kabul
6

Voicing Her Sorrows

As hope wanes and prayers grow less fervent, the Wife begins to speak her mind to her comatose husband. She shares her past, her thwarted desires, and painful memories of her sister's sale to pay off their father's debts, challenging the norms that bind her.

7

Confronting Male Violence

With an awakening voice, the Wife confronts the male violence and pride that shape her reality. She acknowledges her struggle not only for herself but for countless other oppressed women, finding empowerment in her words.

8

A Terrifying Encounter

During a close encounter with marauding soldiers, the Wife seeks shelter in a neighboring cellar to avoid honor's loss. She cleverly asserts her autonomy, interacting with the soldiers in a bid to maintain her dignity amidst the chaos.

Cellar in Kabul
9

Unexpected Bonding

A younger soldier returns and expresses a demand for her 'services'. Torn between her survival and moral compass, she reluctantly complies, finding an unexpected shared humanity that momentarily disturbs the distinctions of their roles.

10

The Bursting of the Patience Stone

As anguish and complicated desires collide within the Wife, she experiences a profound release. It marks a critical moment when the burdens she has held for so long begin to dissipate, like the shattering of the Patience Stone.

11

The Husband Awakens

In a shocking turn of events, the Husband awakens, reaching out for his Wife. However, a violent confrontation ensues, as her newfound assertiveness clashes with the reality of his awakening, leading to his own suffocation of misogyny.

12

The Woman's Transformation

Following the chaos of the confrontation, the Wife's eyes flutter open, filled with resolve. She recognizes her journey from silence to proclamation as she boldly claims, 'I am a Prophet! I just made a miracle!'

13

Rebirth and Empowerment

This moment symbolizes not just her personal transformation but the collective awakening of women buried under patriarchal constraints. It marks a powerful rebirth, allowing her to step into her truth and voice her struggles.

14

Universal Struggles

The film concludes by reflecting on the universality of struggle against societal and gender expectations. Through the Wife's journey, the narrative resonates with those in silence, igniting a spark of hope and rebellion.

Last Updated: November 04, 2024 at 01:12

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The Patience Stone Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Patience Stone

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Patience Stone

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