Iranian filmmakers and actors have spoken out in defiance against the Iranian government in an open letter, calling on “every filmmaker in the world” to support the protests against the government following the death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, was arrested in Tehran for wearing her hijab too loosely. It has been reported that she was tortured by officers before dying in police custody on September 16.
The open letter has been signed by Land Of Dreams director Shirin Neshat; star of Holy Spider and winner of the best actress prize at Cannes, Zar Amir Ebrahimi; actor Pegah Ahangarani; A Time For Drunken Horses filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi; Holy Spider director Ali Abbasi; producer and Jafar Panahi collaborator Kaveh Farnam; co-producer of Berlin’s Golden Bear winner There Is No Evil Farzad Pak, filmmakers Ali Ahmadzadeh and Abdolreza Kahani and cinematographers Bahram Beyzai and Mozhdeh Shamsai.
Ghobadi also wrote a letter to AMPAS members, calling on them to “support to spread this news and to stand by the Iranian people and their rightful protests”.
Amini’s death follows an order from Iran’s president Ebrahim Raisi to crack down on women’s rights and stricter enforcement of the mandatory dress code, which means women must wear hijab. It has triggered a wave of protests throughout Iran, with 35 people believed to have been killed since the protests broke out. The demonstrations have spread across the world.
“Independent Iranian filmmakers are standing by these fearless Iranian women and men and are trying hard to capture and document history as it unfolds with limited resources. They are committed to being the truthful, independent, and courageous narrators of history. To be the voice of the people,” said the open letter, published in full below.
“For years, the Iranian government has used censorship and repression at home under the guise of supporting freedom elsewhere in the world. We are now directly appealing to every filmmaker in the world: your solidarity with the people of Iran sends a clear message to warmongers everywhere. We ask you to further echo the rallying cries of Iranians for freedom. Become the voice of those people who are paying with their lives for freedom.”
“They are looking for simple yet fundamental rights”
Oscar-winning director Asghar Farhadi, whose credits include The Salesman and Cannes Grand Prix winner A Hero, has spoken out on Instagram. “They [Iranian protestors] are looking for simple yet fundamental rights that the state has denied them for years. This society, especially these women, has travelled a harsh and painful path to this point, and now they have clearly reached a landmark.”
He continued: “I am proud of my country’s powerful women, and I sincerely hope that through their efforts, they reach their goals.
“Through this video, I invite all artists, filmmakers, intellectuals, civil rights activists from all over the world and all countries, and everyone who believes in human dignity and freedom to stand in solidarity with the powerful and brave women and men of Iran by making videos, in writing or any other way.”
The European Film Academy (EFA) has added its support. “The European Film Academy stands in full support of the Iranian filmmakers protesting against the current wave of suppression spreading throughout Iran,” said EFA chairman, Irish-UK producer Mike Downey.
“There have been running battles between Iranian police and anti-government protesters in Tehran in the worst unrest there for years,” he added. “The film industry and documentarians are being fearless in their attempts to record the crackdowns. Iran is now subject to the most severe internet restrictions seen since mass anti-government erupted in November 2019. We abhor censorship in all its forms and fully support Iranian filmmakers fighting for survival in a climate of terrible repression.”
Dear friends and colleagues,
Brave Iranians have taken to the streets across the country shouting “woman, life, liberty” for an entire week now while facing persistent, violent, and often deadly attacks from the oppressive forces. The Iranian government has restricted internet usage and blocked access to social media platforms in order to further suppress people’s voices. Last time such measures were implemented in 2019, the Iranian government murdered 1500 people.
Independent Iranian filmmakers are standing by these fearless Iranian women and men and are trying hard to capture and document history as it unfolds with limited resources. They are committed to being the truthful, independent, and courageous narrators of history. To be the voice of the people.
For years, the Iranian government has used censorship and repression at home under the guise of supporting freedom elsewhere in the world. We are now directly appealing to every filmmaker in the world: your solidarity with the people of Iran sends a clear message to warmongers everywhere.
We ask you to further echo the rallying cries of Iranians for freedom. Become the voice of those people who are paying with their lives for freedom.
Your direct and public support offers hope to our youths.Reporting on the news of violence used against our people can prevent more violence and bloodshed.
Shirin Neshat, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Pegah Ahangarani, Bahman Ghobadi, Abdolreza Kahani, Ali Abbasi, Kaveh Farnam, Farzad Pak, Ali Ahmadzadeh, Bahram Beyzai and Mozhdeh Shamsai.
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