Continued Detention of Leila Naqdi Pari; Jafar Panahi: Iranian Cinema Struggles Under the Boot of Security Forces

The continued detention of Leila Naqdi Pari in Iran has prompted reactions from several Iranian filmmakers who are concerned about the situation of this stage and costume designer. A member of the board of the Iranian Film Designers Association, she was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Sunday, September 17. According to the HRANA news agency, it is still unclear what charges she has been detained under. Majid Barzegar, a filmmaker and Naqdi Pari's husband, stated that she has been transferred to Evin Prison. The Iranian Directors Guild issued a statement supporting the Film Designers Association, calling for the release of Leila Naqdi Pari. Noting that ten days have passed since her arrest, the guild expressed concern over her situation, stating, "We stand with our professional colleagues." Jafar Panahi, a critical Iranian filmmaker, also reacted to this issue in a message posted on his wife Tahereh Saidi's Instagram page. He wrote, "These days, independent cinema in Iran is struggling more than ever under the boot of security forces." Panahi further noted that "more than ten days" have passed since the arrest of Leila Naqdi Pari, the designer of the film "Three Faces," coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, adding that efforts by her husband Majid Barzegar and a group of filmmakers have yielded no results. According to Jafar Panahi, Leila Naqdi Pari suffers from asthma and an autoimmune disease and requires daily medication, but authorities withheld her medication for a week. Last year, she faced judicial repercussions for posting in support of nationwide protests. She was detained at the airport while trying to leave the country to attend a film workshop and was interrogated. Her passport was confiscated, preventing her from leaving the country for a year. Pressure on civil activists and families seeking justice has increased on the anniversary of the protests following Mahsa Amini's death, with security forces detaining several of them. Previously, the sister of Hanieh Tosoli, a well-known theater and film actress, also reported her arrest on her Instagram page. Shahla Shafigh, a sociologist, told Voice of America that the majority of the Iranian people have fully realized that religion is "a tool for the power of the rulers." Maryam Shari'atmadari, a political activist, stated to the Persian section of Voice of America that "our problem is with the entire Islamic Republic" and that "society will never go back." Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that "a year ago, the tragic and unreasonable death of Mahsa while in custody of the so-called 'morality police' in Iran sparked protests across Iran, met with unprecedented violence, mass arrests, systematic internet disruptions, and regime censorship." Blinken added, "We will continue to take appropriate actions alongside our international partners to hold accountable those who suppress the rights of Iranians." Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, also referred to the "tragic" end of Mahsa's life last September, saying, "Her courage inspired a movement that has remained steadfast against ongoing brutality." She added, "The United States' commitment to stand with the people of Iran will remain unwavering."