In Iran, filmmakers are threatened by censorship from ultra-conservative authorities

If we stick to the quality of the films that arrive on our screens, one would think that the Iranian cinema ecosystem is doing wonderfully. We can cite the example of the sublime Leila and her brothers by the young director Saeed Roustaee, currently in theaters. However, the reality is much more troubling. A truly wave of repression hits Iranian directors.

Series of arrests and convictions

In 2010, director Jafar Panahi’s arrest was widely publicized overseas. Panahi has been well known internationally for as long as he is one of the most awarded Iranian directorswith Three faces Where is it Tehran taxi. However, this wave of arrests is far from stopping in Panahi.

In the columns of France 24Asal Bagheri, a specialist in Iranian cinema and professor-researcher at the University of Cergy-Paris, is concerned. “We are getting closer a period of repression harmful to culture. “ She adds: “And this is only the beginning. ” Since May, Mina Keshavarz, Firouzeh Khosravani, Majid Barzegar or Mohsen Amir-Yousefi have been on the list of committed artists arrested or summoned by the Iranian justice for unclear reasons.

An ultra-conservative cleric in the presidency

At the origin of this climate is the rise to power in 2021 of Ebrahim Raïssi, an ultra-conservative cleric. This repressive policy has known spectacular acceleration a few days ago. According to France 24the Iranian Ministry of Culture announced this on August 16a list from cinema professionals are prohibited from exercising their profession was about to be published.

If this blacklist were to be made public, it would mark “A repressive turn” according to Asal Bagheri. The specialist explains: “Never before have the authorities talked about an official list. “ The militant dimension many Iranian films are in the focus of the repressive authorities, at a time when the country is being crossed a dramatic economic crisis and inflation. Asal Bagheri explains:

“Iranian society has become more and more assertive and bold. However, the work of this wave of directors, who are part of a form of social cinema, reflects the evils of society. I’m just a reflection of this anger. “

Featured image credit: © Amirhossein Shojaei