The European Film Academy has voiced its support for an open letter published by Iranian filmmakers Shirin Neshat, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Pegah Ahangarani, Bahman Ghobadi, Abdolreza Kahani, Ali Abbasi, Kaveh Farnam, Farzad Pak and Ali Ahmadzadeh following a week of protests in Iran (see open letter below).
“The European Film Academy stands in full support of the Iranian film makers protesting against the current wave suppression spreading throughout Iran,” says Academy chairman and Irish producer Mike Downey. “There have been running battles between Iranian police and anti-government protesters in Tehran in the worst unrest there for years. The film industry and documentarians are being fearless in their attempts to record the crackdowns. Iran is now subject to the most severe internet restrictions seen since mass anti-government erupted in November 2019. We abhor censorship in all its forms and fully support Iranian film makers fighting for survival in a climate of terrible repression.”
The open letter written by the Iranian filmmakers was published September 24 and follows mass protests resulting from the death in custody of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, after her arrest for violating the country’s strict hijab law. News of Amini’s death came amid a crackdown on women’s rights orchestrated by the country’s president, Ebrahim Raisi.
The letter reads in full:
Dear Friends and Colleagues
Brave Iranians have taken to the streets across the country shouting “woman, life, liberty” for an entire week now while facing persistent, violent, and often deadly attacks from the oppressive forces. The Iranian government has restricted internet usage and blocked access to social media platforms in order to further suppress people’s voices. Last time such measures were implemented in 2019, the Iranian government murdered 1500 people.
Independent Iranian filmmakers are standing by these fearless Iranian women and men and are trying hard to capture and document history as it unfolds with limited resources. They are committed to being the truthful, independent, and courageous narrators of history. To be the voice of the people.
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.
Your direct and public support offers hope to our youths. Reporting on the news of violence used against our people can prevent more violence and bloodshed.
Signed by: Shirin Neshat, Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Pegah Ahangarani, Bahman Ghobadi, Abdolreza Kahani, Ali Abbasi, Kaveh Farnam, Farzad Pak, Ali Ahmadzadeh.
