Film 'Daughter's House' Suspended by Order of Minister of Culture

According to a report by the Tehran-based newspaper 'Cinema', the Minister of Culture has ordered the suspension of the film 'Daughter's House'. The newspaper, edited by Fereydoun Jirani, announced on Saturday, December 26, that Ali Jannati, the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, issued a letter to Habib Ilbeigi, the head of the Cinema Supervision and Evaluation Department, instructing the archiving of the film directed by Shahram Shah Hosseini. This film, which participated in last year's Fajr Festival, has reportedly received a screening permit 'four times' and was set to be screened in Iranian cinemas soon. According to the report, 'Daughter's House' had signed contracts with some cinemas for public screening after several amendments and the removal of certain scenes deemed 'problematic' by the Ministry of Culture. However, with the Minister's letter to the Cinema Organization, the official screening of the film has been halted. The Cinema Guild, responsible for scheduling film screenings, had postponed the registration of 'Daughter's House' for a week to inquire about the Minister's opinion on its screening; a response that was communicated to the producers and the Guild with the statement 'it is not advisable to screen the film at this time'. 'Daughter's House' addresses the issue of 'virginity' in Iranian society, which also faced some controversies during its presentation at the Fajr Festival last year. After the festival, some websites and media accused this work, like some others, of blackening the image and called for its suspension. This film was written with a specific social perspective by Parviz Shahbazi, and it is said that a condition for granting the production permit was that a director other than Shahbazi himself would be behind the camera. Shahram Shah Hosseini, who has several commercial comedy films in his portfolio, stated that the Fajr Festival selection committee accepted it into the competition section without any objections and even praised it for its thematic content. According to the newspaper and producer Mohammad Shayesteh, the creators of 'Daughter's House' are expected to respond to the events surrounding the film in a press conference soon. The Ministry of Culture had previously prevented the screening of several films like 'I Am Not Angry' directed by Reza Dormishian and 'Father's House' by Kianoush Aiyari in 2014. This year, the film 'Resurrection' directed by Ahmadreza Darvish was also pulled from the screen after a few screenings due to pressures and protests, following an order from the Ministry. In this context, the Minister of Culture stated that he is not influenced by media pressure and representatives. The suspension of a performance due to the use of artificial hair by female actors, the spokesperson for the Ministry stated that the halt of 'Resurrection' is not related to street protests. The billboard for 'Reward' was torn down at night; another film was boycotted. The banned film by Bani-Etemad was screened. 'Whale' also got stuck in the Ministry of Culture; the second problematic film of 2015. 'Daughter's House' should not be seen; the project of boycott and suspension in 2015. Preventing the performance of a show due to 'improvised dialogue' by actors. Reference to the actors being a married couple in the credits; 'Absolute Rest' was allowed. Changing the playing field of 'proxy wars'; war against the people in the streets of Iran. The first paragraph; the responsibility of the opposition and the possibility of radicalizing Iranian society. The death of the last Mossad representative in Tehran amid the Iranian crisis. Trump: I hope there is no need for further action regarding Iran; they were killing people indiscriminately. The shadow of war over Tehran; 'Trump is seeking decisive military options against Iran.' Trump says if the Islamic Republic carries out a terrorist act against him, 'it will be wiped off the face of the earth.' A senior U.S. official: The Trump administration is closely monitoring the case of Reza Valizadeh. Trump emphasizes 'stopping executions in Iran': we do not know what will happen in the future.