Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi has been prevented from boarding his flight to attend the BFI London Film Festival (LFF), where he was due to attend the UK premiere of his film Subtraction tomorrow (Oct 15).
According to the BFI, Haghighi was turned away by authorities in Iran and has had his passport confiscated. He has returned to his home in Tehran.
Haghighi has responded to the incident in a video published this afternoon (October 14) by the BFI.
Filmmaker Mani Haghighi was due to join us at the BFI London Film Festival with his film Subtraction. Authorities in Iran confiscated his passport and he could not leave.#LFF supports Haghighi and all filmmakers in their freedom to present their films around the world. pic.twitter.com/vFhja8EnqS
— BFI (@BFI) October 14, 2022
Haghighi is meant to be presiding over the jury of the international competition at Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF), which runs from November 4-13.
The incident comes just four days after LFF filmmakers and delegates met in solidarity with imprisoned Iranian filmmakers and the women of Iran who are protesting for their freedom.
Subtraction is scheduled to screen twice tomorrow evening at London’s Curzon Soho cinema, at 17.45 and 18.00 BST; then again on Sunday at the ICA Cinema at 18.00.
“The Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi was due to travel to London today to support the UK premiere of his film Subtraction which is screening tomorrow at the BFI London Film Festival, but has been prevented from boarding his flight to the UK,” said a BFI spokesperson. “He was turned away by authorities in Iran and has his passport confiscated. He has returned to his home in Tehran.
“We understand that no reason has been given to Mani Haghighi for the confiscation. The BFI London Film Festival supports Haghighi and all filmmakers in their freedom to make their films and present them around the world.”
Subtraction, which premiered at Toronto last month, is a drama about a married couple who believe they meet their doppelgangers in Tehran.
It is produced by Iranian Independents, with September Films holding UK-Ireland distribution rights.
Geneva
The film will next be screening at Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) for its Swiss premiere. In response to today’s incident, the festival said:
“GIFF has learned the disturbing news that the Iranian government has withdrawn Mani Haghighi’s passport. He is invited as president of the Jury and for the Swiss premiere of his film Subtraction. The Festival wishes to express its support for the filmmaker and for all artists in Iran whose freedom of expression and movement is under threat. GIFF will do its utmost to give Mani Haghighi and his work a voice at the next edition. The festival will provide further information soon.”
No comments yet