Culture

Iranwire – Two independent Iranian film associations have condemned the arrest of artists in Iran amid a broadening crackdown on critics of the Islamic Republic. The Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA) issued a statement demanding the unconditional release of all filmmakers, artists, and political prisoners incarcerated in the country. “Out of a fear that the women’s movement calling for freedom and …

Iranwire – Multi-disciplinary artist Hamid Rahmanian has his wife Melissa Hibbard to thank for kickstarting the enterprise that has occupied his every waking moment for the last 15 years.  It was in 2008, after he complained about an unedifying orchestral concert they had attended in Toronto, that Melissa threw down a challenge. “You Iranians always talk about how glorious your …

Iranwire – The Iranian authorities have imposed a ban on the sale of notebooks with covers featuring Walt Disney characters, according to the head of the Tehran Stationery Union. In an interview with the Tejarat News website on September 5, ahead of the new school year on September 23, Musa Farzanian said that violators face fines and the possibility of having …

VOA – The first production co-directed by Iranian and Israeli filmmakers had to be shot in secret to prevent possible interference by Tehran, directors Zar Amir Ebrahimi and Guy Nattiv told Reuters Sunday. “Tatami,” a tense thriller centered on a world judo championship, got its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival at the weekend, receiving a standing ovation. The …

VOA – Ebrahim Golestan, a renowned Iranian writer and filmmaker, has died at his home in Britain at the age of 101. His daughter Lili, the director of Tehran’s Golestan Gallery, confirmed news of his death this week. On Instagram, she wrote “Father, you have left us. Farewell.”Golestan was born in Shiraz and left Iran before the 1979 Revolution. His …

Iranwire – In recent days, a number of developments within the realm of Iranian cinema has captured the attention of its ardent audience. These developments had in common the civil disobedience exhibited by filmmakers against government-imposed constraints. One of the most notable cases is the ongoing legal battle over the film “Tafrigh,” which was banned from release by the Ministry …

VOA – Martin Scorsese has backed a petition against the jailing of prominent Iranian movie director Saeed Roustaee for screening a film at the Cannes Film Festival. Scorsese, the Oscar-winning director of “Taxi Driver” and “Goodfellas,” reposted a campaign launched by his daughter Francesca this week after news of Roustaee’s prison sentence emerged. “Please sign this petition to bring justice …

Iranwire – The sentence handed down to Iranian filmmaker Saeed Roostaei and his producer after they showcased a movie at the Cannes Film Festival without government approval have sparked swift condemnations from inside and outside Iran. Roostaei and producer Javad Norouzbeigi traveled to the southern French city of Cannes last year to show “Leila’s Brothers.” The film didn’t take the …

Iranwire – The Iranian judiciary has sentenced Iranian film director Saeed Roostaei to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic, Etemad Online reported.  The news website removed the report hours after its publication, citing no reasons. According to the article, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Roostaei on August 14 over “the …

Iranwire – The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance of the Islamic Republic has announced plans for a large-scale shake up within the ministry.  “After two years of earnest efforts, 400 Hezbollah youth are set to join this ministry by the end of summer with the aim of bringing significant transformations to the ministry,” said Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, referring to …