“Every filmmaker in the world” is called to support anti-government protests in Iran by famous Iranian cinema creators and actors speaking up after the violent repression of protests triggered by the death of 22-year-old woman Masha Amini while in police custody.
Multi-awarded filmmakers such as Shirin Neshat – the director of “Land Of Dreams”, Bahman Ghobadi – the creator of “A Time For Drunken Horses” and Ali Abbasi – director of “Holy Spider” have signed among others an open letter.
“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.”
Shirin Neshat, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Pegah Ahangarani, Bahman Ghobadi, Abdolreza Kahani, Ali Abbasi, Kaveh Farnam, Farzad Pak, Ali Ahmadzadeh, Bahram Beyzai and Mozhdeh Shamsai.
Asghar Farhadi – the Oscar-winning director, creator of The Salesman and Cannes Grand Prix recipient for A Hero, has reacted on Instagram.
“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.”
Asghar Farhadi
EFA chairman, Irish-UK producer Mike Downey reacted.
“The European Film Academy stands in full support of the Iranian filmmakers protesting against the current wave of suppression spreading throughout Iran”
Mike Downey – EFA chairman
At least 1 200 people have been arrested in connection to the protests. 35 people are presumed to have been killed in the resulting clashes with security forces.
The full letter is available here