Culture

Iranwire – More than 800 filmmakers and cultural activists from across the world have spoken out, condemning what they called the Islamic Republic’s “organized crimes” against protesters. The signatories of the statement emphasized that “these actions are a clear and systematic violation of fundamental human rights and constitute a definitive instance of crimes against humanity.” Prominent names like Juliette Binoche, …

iranintl -A film by dissident Iranian director Jafar Panahi has advanced to the shortlist for the international feature film category at the 98th Academy Awards, organizers said on Tuesday. Panahi’s film, It Was Just an Accident, was included among 15 shortlisted titles as France’s official submission. Films from 86 countries were eligible in the category, with Academy members required to …

RFL/RE – Shervin Hajipour, the Iranian Grammy Award winner whose hit song became the anthem of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, has announced the release of his state-sanctioned debut album — a move that has sparked criticism from some of his supporters. The 27-year-old singer-songwriter was sentenced to prison and later pardoned for his 2022 song, Beraye (For), about the …

iranwire – Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to one year in prison by an Islamic Revolutionary Court, his lawyer announced. The trial was held in his absence while he was abroad. Mostafa Nili, Panahi’s lawyer, said Branch 26 of Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court has also banned the 65-year-old filmmaker from leaving Iran for two years and prohibited him …

iranwire – Iranian authorities arrested 21 people, including several prominent actors, during a raid on a birthday party, state media reported. The party was held at the home of actor Ali Shadman. Those arrested included actors Parsa Pirouzfar, Setareh Pesyani, Sahar Dolatshahi, Mehran Modiri and Ahmad Sa’atchi. All detainees except Shadman and Pesyani have been released on bail. Pirouzfar became …

iranintl.com – Tehran’s crackdowns on media persist despite the state’s mounting political and economic troubles, with bans of various forms imposed on those who drifts beyond acceptable bounds. The restrictive measures extend beyond censorship and judicial action to include barriers to income, careers, and public influence. Social media accounts may be deactivated, and work removed from distribution. The latest example …

iranwire – An Iranian Baha’i actress was taken to Evin Prison on Saturday to begin serving a prison sentence on propaganda charges. Paria Marandiz was sentenced by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years in prison on charges of “propaganda activity against the Islamic Republic” during the 12-day war with Israel in June and “propaganda aimed at strengthening …

Iranwire – Two Iranian documentaries won major awards at the 38th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), which held its awards ceremony on Thursday night. Mehrdad Oskouei’s A Fox Under a Pink Moon won Best Film in the International Competition section, receiving a €15,000 ($17,260) cash prize. Past Future Continuous, directed by Firouzeh Khosravani and Morteza Ahmadvand, won Best Film …

iranintl – Iranian singer and songwriter Shervin Hajipour said he is facing new restrictions, including being barred from entering a gym and attending concerts. In an Instagram video story, he said that when he asked a club security guard why he was denied entry, the guard replied: “Because you are Shervin.” Iran’s clerical rulers have eased enforcement of Islamic veiling …

iranwire – A political prisoner held a one-day art exhibition inside Tehran’s Evin Prison on Sunday, displaying 50 abstract paintings he created in five days using limited materials. Morteza Parvin, an Azeri civil activist imprisoned in Ward 7, organized the exhibition in honor of all political prisoners and dedicated it to Taher Naghavi and Vadood Asadi – two prisoners on …