Iran: Director Said Rustai sentenced to prison for propaganda against Islamic State

Filmmaker Said Rustae, 34, was sentenced to six months in prison for screening his film Leïla et ses frères at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. According to media reports in his country, the director was found guilty. “To contribute to the propaganda of the opposition against the Islamic system”.

“Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced film director and producer Said Rustai and Javad Norouzbeigui to six months in prison for their opposition propaganda against Islamic rule.”

Saeed Roustaee became known to the general public with the shocking movie The Law of Tehran in 2021. The work is a startling and realistic dive into crack-trafficking Iran. The distinctions were largely for this film: the selection in Venice, the Grand Prize and the Critics’ Prize at the Reims International Crime Film Festival and the selection of the best foreign film for the César competition.

Last year, the director confirmed the test with Leila and her brothers, which was recognized by the public and critics. The story tells about Leila, who devoted her whole life to her parents and four brothers. Battered by an unprecedented economic crisis, a family is reeling under debt and falling apart as their personal frustrations unfold. To get them out of this situation, Leila plans: to buy a shop to start a business with her brothers.

Everyone is putting all their savings into it, but they are missing one last financial support. At the same time, and to everyone’s surprise, their father Esmail pledges a large sum of money to his community to become his new godfather, the highest honor in Persian tradition. Gradually, the actions of each of its members bring the family to the brink of explosion as the patriarch’s health deteriorates.

Leïla et ses frères, released in France in August 2022, was banned in Iran because it had “Breaks the rules by participating in Cannes and then Munich without permission”. Therefore, Said Rustae and his producer Javad Noruzbeig were found guilty. “To contribute to the propaganda of the opposition against the Islamic system” in Iran.

However, according to the Etemad newspaper, the court ruled that the two men would only serve one-twentieth of that sentence, or about nine days. The rest of the sentence “will be suspended for five years”.

“During the period of suspension, the defendants are required to refrain from activities related to the committed crime and not to contact persons active in the field of cinema”Ethemad said. The defendants have 20 days to appeal this decision.

Iranian authorities have already arrested and jailed filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and Jafar Panahi in 2022 for propaganda against the regime. The two men were finally released after months in prison in appalling conditions, prompting Jafar Panahi to go on hunger strike.

Please note that Saeed Roustaee has received support from many artists around the world. The Biarritz festival, which hosted the director last June, also wanted to support him, calling for his conviction to be overturned in a press release.

“The Biarritz International Film Festival – Nouvelles Vagues is surprised to learn that Said Rustae has been sentenced to six months in prison for anti-regime propaganda, a sentence that will be accompanied by a five-year filming ban. His only crime: freelance filmmaker!

With Law of Tehran and Leila and Her Brothers, Said made a sensational debut on the world cinematographic stage. At less than 35 years old, his eye for society is already making him one of the great international filmmakers.

The NOUVELLES VAGUES festival, dedicated to the stories of youth, had the opportunity to see the jury of its first edition, chaired by this demanding, talented filmmaker, who supported this day of creativity and debate.

The Biarritz International Film Festival – NOUVELLES VAGUES always stands for youth, freedom of expression, artistic freedom and artists and peoples who are threatened because they are captured and therefore demands that the conviction of Said Rustae be overturned as soon as possible. “

For its part, SRF, the Société des Réalisateurs et Réalisatrices de films, also released a statement of support:

“We SRF Filmmakers would like to express our deep concern and solidarity with Said Rustai, who was recently sentenced by the Iranian regime to 6 months in prison with a 5-year ban on filmmaking. Leïla et ses frères. and presented at the 2022 edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

We consider this decision as an attack on the freedom of artistic expression and a violation of fundamental human rights. At a time when artists everywhere are fighting to preserve their independence and creativity, it is imperative that we protect the rights of those who bring new and stimulating perspectives through their work.