The Cannes Film Festival has joined calls for the release of Iranian filmmakers Mustafa al-Ahmadi, Mohammad Rasoulof and Jafar Panah after they were detained by Iranian authorities in recent days.
In the latest crackdown on Iran, al-Ahmadi and Rasoulof were arrested on Friday for posting statements on social media urging members of the Iranian security forces to lay down their weapons for use against protesters. On Monday, Iranian film director Panahi was also arrested in Tehran.
Panakhi has screened many of his films at Cannes and other international festivals, including three faces s crimson gold. Panakhi also won the Golden Bear in Berlin in 2015 for his film Taxi.
“The Cannes Film Festival strongly condemns these arrests, as well as the wave of repression that is apparently taking place in Iran against its artists. The festival calls for the immediate release of Mohamed Rasoulof, Mustafa Alehmed and Jafar Panah,” Cannes organizers said on Monday.
Rasoulof and Al-Ahmadi were among 70 Iranian filmmakers and film industry workers who signed an online petition that included the hashtag #laydownyourarms, a reference to the government’s crackdown on ongoing unrest in Khuzestan province, located in the country’s southwest. The capital, Tehran.
The protests were sparked by the government’s response to past natural disasters, as well as “inadequate construction practices, government corruption and neglect in Iran,” according to the Associated Press.
“The Cannes Film Festival also wants to continue supporting all those who are subjected to violence and repression around the world. The festival is and always will be a haven for artists from all over the world, and will tirelessly serve them to make their voices heard loud and clear in defense of creativity and freedom of expression,” added Kahn. his statement.
Berlin Film Festival organizers also issued a statement expressing concern about the arrests of “known Iranian directors” and affirming the festival’s commitment to freedom of expression and artistic freedom.
“We are deeply concerned about the arrest of Mohammad Rasoulof and Mustafa Al-Ahmadi.” It is shocking that artists are arrested for their peaceful efforts against violence,” Berlinale directors Mariette Riesenbeck and Carlo Chatriani said in a statement. We appeal to the Iranian authorities to release the two directors.
On Monday, Berlin added that it was “shocked and outraged” by Panahi’s further arrest.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
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