Actor of the film 'Earthly Verses' banned from leaving the country due to attending Cannes with optional hijab

Sadaf Asgari, an Iranian actress, wrote on her Instagram page on Friday, December 1, that upon returning from the Cannes Film Festival, governmental institutions of the Islamic Republic confiscated her passport and personal belongings under the pretext of her choice of 'optional hijab.' She added that this action by the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic has prevented her from participating in an international film project in Turkey and another film festival in that country as a judge. On September 1 of this year, Ali Asgari, the director of 'Earthly Verses,' was also banned from leaving the country and deprived of cinematic activities by the authorities of the Islamic Republic after returning from the Cannes Film Festival. 'Earthly Verses' is a satirical work about the Iranian government, depicting the daily life and cultural, religious, and organizational restrictions imposed on the people of Iran. During the widespread protests of 2022, several Iranian actresses removed their hijabs to show solidarity with the protesters. This action led to the arrest of some of them, including Taraneh Alidoosti, Katayoun Riahi, and Hengameh Qaziani. 'Earthly Verses' is an 'unusual and intriguing' film that made it to the Cannes Festival. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran stated that 'The Night Watch' was selected by an entity affiliated with the 'repressive regime of Iran.' Ali Asgari, the director of 'Earthly Verses,' was banned from leaving the country and prohibited from cinematic activities. The Cannes Festival began with the screening of a film by Johnny Depp; the absence of Iranian cinema in the main competitive section.