Culture

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 …

RFL/RE – Iranian authorities have banned a film festival that put out a publicity poster featuring an actress who was not wearing a hijab, state media reported on July 23. The ban comes after the Iranian Short Film Association (ISFA) released a poster for its Short Film Festival featuring Iranian actress Susan Taslimi in the 1982 film The Death Of …

RFL/RE – Afsaneh Bayegan has become the latest actress to be convicted for her public opposition to Iran’s mandatory hijab law after being sentenced to two years in prison, as well as mandatory psychological treatment for what the court termed an “anti-family personality disorder.” Bayegan’s sentence, handed down on July 19, follows similar punishments given to actresses Azadeh Samadi and Leila Bolukat …

Iranwire – In an escalation of pressure on celebrities, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary has initiated a subpoena case against two renowned actresses for appearing without the mandatory hijab, authorities said on Monday. According to a report from the official Mizan news agency published on June 12, Azadeh Samadi was summoned following her appearance without a hijab at a funeral.  The …

Iranwire – Iranian security institutions have prevented acclaimed actress Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, who has expressed solidarity with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protest movement, from traveling to Austria to participate in a multidisciplinary art festival in Vienna. “Unfortunately, the scheduled performances of The Child have had to be cancelled as the leading actress, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, has been denied permission to leave Iran,” …

RFL/RE – The head of the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has warned the country’s film industry that dissent will be dealt with harshly after several people from the sector participated in the Cannes Film Festival without obtaining permission from Tehran. Mohammad Khazaie said on May 29 that the individuals who traveled to the French seaside resort …