A Critic: The Goal of the Islamic Republic is to Suppress Independent Non-Governmental Cinema

The summons of Maryam Maqdami and Behtash Sanaeiha, the creators of the film "My Favorite Cake," as well as Leili Farhadpour, one of the actresses in this cinematic work, has received significant attention in the media and social networks. Maryam Maqdami and Behtash Sanaeiha announced on Wednesday, February 24, that they will be tried on March 2 this year on charges of "propaganda against the regime, producing and distributing a film with vulgar content, offending public morality, and screening the film without a license." Leili Farhadpour also stated on Thursday, February 25, that she must appear in court on March 2 on charges of "producing, distributing, and copying tapes and disks of vulgar shows and participating in the production of vulgar content." Ms. Farhadpour, as one of the main producers of the film "My Favorite Cake," has been summoned to the Revolutionary Court as the main female actor. "My Favorite Cake," which depicts a romantic story in old age in Iran, was made without adhering to the mandatory hijab law for Leili Farhadpour, the female actor in the film. Some scenes, such as dancing, optional clothing, the relationships of the story's characters, and disregard for the laws of the religious authoritarian regime in Iran, have angered the officials of the Islamic Republic. Mahshid Zamani, a writer and film critic, and a member of the Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran (IFMA), told Voice of America that the film "My Favorite Cake" is one of the most important works of the independent cinema movement that has emerged alongside the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran. She further adds that this film portrays aspects of real life in Iran that have been censored in government cinema for years, and the Islamic Republic wants to prevent the expansion of independent cinema in Iran by harshly dealing with its creators. Ms. Zamani emphasizes that despite government repression and censorship, Iranian filmmakers will courageously and boldly create films like "My Favorite Cake," and the screening of works from this independent movement will receive a lot of attention worldwide. This writer and film critic states that the main problem for the government is the portrayal of an unblemished image of Iranian women and men in the film "My Favorite Cake," which displays fundamental changes in the opinions, views, and lifestyles of Iranians, especially after the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. She adds that the government wants to prevent the expansion of the independent cinema movement and the activities of independent filmmakers who are no longer willing to depict human relationships and the lives of Iranians in an unrealistic manner by harshly dealing with the creators and contributors of this film. Ms. Zamani reminds that "My Favorite Cake" is by no means considered a political work and is a "dark romantic comedy" that narrates the ordinary lives of Iranians, addressing human relationships and challenging decades of systematic censorship by the Islamic Republic regarding the dress and status of women and human relationships. This writer and film critic states that the Islamic Republic has controlled Iranian cinema for decades and sent its approved works to film festivals, but now independent Iranian films like "My Favorite Cake" shine at festivals and present a real image of Iran, which has angered the government. Mahshid Zamani emphasizes that the emergence of independent Iranian cinema has terrified the Islamic Republic, and the crackdown on filmmakers like Maryam Maqdami, Behtash Sanaeiha, Leili Farhadpour, and many others should be examined within this framework. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran (IFMA) is also present at the Berlin Film Festival this year and provides necessary awareness about the independent cinema movement in Iran through various programs. Ms. Zamani discusses the role and importance of the Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran in raising awareness about the status of cinema in Iran at global festivals, stating: "Our association has been very influential in this short period since its establishment, meaning that in addition to supporting independent cinema, we have managed to neutralize the propaganda and advertisements of the Islamic government regarding filmmaking and presenting a distorted image of Iranian society in their films at global festivals." "My Favorite Cake" has so far been screened at 53 global festivals and has won 16 international awards, including the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award at the Berlin Festival, the Silver Hugo at the Chicago Festival, the Best Film award at the Calgary Festival in Canada, and the Best Film award at the Cabourg Festival in France. This film has been named the second-best film of 2024 in the UK by critics of The Guardian. The previous film by Behtash Sanaeiha and Maryam Maqdami, titled "The White Cow's Elegy," received valuable awards from film festivals including Berlinale and Zurich. However, the Islamic Republic accused this director of "propaganda against the regime and actions against national security." These two directors were eventually acquitted of these charges, but the screening of "The White Cow's Elegy" in Iran remains banned. The creators of "My Favorite Cake" are being tried in the Revolutionary Court, and the selection of two films disliked by the Islamic Republic as "Best Film of the Year" by Euronews, along with "My Favorite Cake" being named the second-best film of the year by critics of The Guardian, highlights the ongoing repression of filmmakers like Maryam Maqdami, who stated to a parliament member: "You are drowning society in a 'swamp of lies.'" The film "My Favorite Cake" has participated in three global festivals, and its creators remain banned from leaving the country. The International Critics' Jury award at the Berlin Festival was given to "My Favorite Cake," and the Berlin Film Festival called for the lifting of restrictions against Behtash Sanaeiha and Maryam Maqdami, Iranian filmmakers. Somayeh Haqnegahdar told Voice of America that the pressure from the Islamic Republic on artists aims to control and censor them.