THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - The director and screenwriter for “The Stoning of Soraya M.” will discuss their emotionally charged film after a showing at 7 p.m. Monday, March 7, at California Lutheran University.

The 2008 movie will be presented in the Roth Nelson Room on the Thousand Oaks campus as part of the Reel Justice Film Series.

“The Stoning of Soraya M.” is based on the true story of an Iranian woman who was stoned to death in 1986. The powerful tale of a village’s persecution of an innocent woman is both a daring act of witness and a compelling parable about mob rule. Who will join forces with the plot against her, who will surrender to the mob, and who will dare to stand up for what is right? It is both a classic fable of good and evil and an inspiring tribute to the many fighting against injustice all around the world.

Director Cyrus Nowrasteh and his wife and fellow screenwriter, Betsy Giffen Nowrasteh, who will answer questions after the screening, saw in Soraya one story that stands for thousands of untold tales around the world, from Africa to Asia, from Europe to America, wherever people are battling prejudice and injustice. Their screenplay takes the hard facts surrounding Soraya’s fate and carves from them a lyrical, fable-like passion play that gets under the skin by posing a provocative question: Who among us would throw stones and who would take a stand against them?

The Reel Justice Film Series, which examines the themes of equality and social justice, will continue with "8: The Mormon Proposition" on March 30 and "Living Downstream" on April 6.

The Roth Nelson Room is located on Mountclef Boulevard between Olsen Road and Memorial Parkway.

CLU’s Center for Equality and Justice is sponsoring the free event. For more information, contact Sam Thomas at sthomas@callutheran.edu or (805) 493-3693.