MovieChat Forums > Jodaeiye Nader az Simin (2011) Discussion > Why Not Pay the Blood Money?

Why Not Pay the Blood Money?

posted 12 years ago by mtbgdl
8 replies | jump to latest

Can someone help me with this part of the film? I didn't really understand what Blood Money is in the Iranian legal system. Were they saying that at anytime he could have gotten out of the entire episode if he had simply paid money and made it go away? If so, it seems very unrealistic that he wouldn't just do that. I mean would one really risk 1.5-3 years in jail just to avoid paying the money. They seemed to have a decent lifestyle and he could afford it. I know the movie makes him out to be stubborn and all but still, jail time?? I'm assuming I am missing something here because the film was so wonderful, it's hard to believe that would be an oversight.
Thanks!

[–] Pouya-Khani 12 years ago

Well he might didn't have such a money!

[–] KamikazeURAss 12 years ago

"Stubborn"? You mean having some character?

The car killed the baby(most likely), not him. Besides, if he paid it'd be admitting to the supposed crime.

[–] harveythepooka 12 years ago

What Nader was doing was standing up for what was right. But in doing so he forced his child to lie, humiliated her, possibly left her without any kind of financial support and who knows what other kinds of social degradation if he did go to jail. He put his pride first because he refused to even contemplate that he could have possibly done anything to harm the woman. Why would you not want to put all of it behind you and just move on with your life? It was obvious with the daughter in private school, the nice apartment, the tutor and home help that money wasn't an issue. He refused to sacrifice himself for his child and then put her in the awful situation of choosing. He was stubborn and that is probably the real reason why his wife left him.

[–] micirisi 12 years ago

The husband was stubborn and felt he was not at fault while the wife more pragmatic, thinking it not worth the risk of a prison sentence also worried about the effect on her daughter not to mention putting to rest the crazy stalker dude. Actually in today's dollars the agreed settlement would only be ~$1200 though probably a bit more in 2011(inflation.)

[–] goodtobehappy 12 years ago

Paying blood money would also be an admission of guilt, Nader was adamant that he did not do her any harm.

[–] veryhornyfox 12 years ago

Interesting to hear that talk of "pride" and "stubborn". The father takes the correct actions in defending his innocence. If he paid to someone who he knew might have been scamming him (and she was as it turns out) that encourages future bad activity like that. Stopping it doesn't.

If he had paid his family would have had to face the fact that they have effectively acknowledged that he pushed a woman and killed a baby and everyone, neighbours, her friends in school, etc, would know that. Because he stood up for this they can now say to everyone that the woman refused to swear on the Koran that she did it, confirming his innocence and maintaining the family reputation.

Family reputation is critical. So he did the best thing for this family.

His wife is terrible, trying to push the story that he pushed the women and killed the baby, and openly saying this to third parties even though she doesn't really know. Almost as if she wants him in jail out of the way.

[–] mdangel80 12 years ago

There are still people in this world who are concerned about honor and reputation. If the courts managed to prove that Nadir was guilty, he would have paid the money without hesitating. He thought he was innocent, and by paying the money, he would admit his guilt. I think it's a hard concept for people to grasp.

[–] mtbgdl 12 years ago

I guess so, but it seemed far-fetched to me. I would have at least liked to have seen another scene where he explores the possibility and we see him struggle with it and decide he had to stand on principle. Great film though!