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Five Films Unbanned After Censorship; Seven Films Still Under Ban

Jan 27, 2026 January 27, 2026 3 min read 📰 Radio Farda
📋 Key Takeaway

Five films have been unbanned in Iran after censorship adjustments, but some filmmakers have not been officially informed of this decision. The ongoing censorship and the lack of communication highlight the challenges filmmakers face in Iran's restrictive environment. This situation reflects the broader issues of artistic freedom and government control in the Iranian film industry.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The unbanning of films in Iran showcases the delicate balance between censorship and artistic expression, with ongoing implications for filmmakers.

👥 Key Players

Ibrahim Darvigh Zadeh MENTIONED
Deputy of Supervision and Evaluation of the Cinema Organization
"He plays a crucial role in determining which films are allowed to be screened in Iran, reflecting government censorship policies."
Kianoush Aiyari MENTIONED
Director of 'Couch'
"He represents the filmmakers who resist censorship, highlighting the tension between artistic expression and government control."
Reza Salehi Amiri MENTIONED
Former Minister of Culture
"His previous requests for timely decisions on banned films illustrate the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom in Iran."

📰 What Happened

Five films in Iran have been unbanned after filmmakers agreed to make certain cuts, while seven films remain banned. Some filmmakers have not been informed about the unbanning, raising concerns about communication and censorship.

  • Five films received screening permits after making amendments.
  • Seven films, including notable titles, continue to be banned.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This situation highlights the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom and the challenges filmmakers face under government censorship.
🌍 Regional: Censorship in Iran may influence other countries in the region with similar governance structures and cultural policies.
🌐 International: The situation draws attention to human rights issues in Iran, particularly regarding freedom of expression in the arts.

📚 Background

Iran's film industry has a history of censorship, with the government often restricting content deemed politically or socially sensitive. Filmmakers frequently face pressure to alter their work to comply with state regulations.

Censorship in the arts Freedom of expression in Iran
📡 Source: STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article reflects the official stance of the Iranian government, which may downplay the extent of censorship and its impact on filmmakers.

While the Deputy of the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture has announced the unbanning of five films after removing certain sections, ISNA news agency reported that some filmmakers have not been officially informed about this decision. Ibrahim Darvigh Zadeh, Deputy of Supervision and Evaluation of the Cinema Organization, stated in an interview with IRIB News Agency on Friday, September 15, that 12 banned films were reviewed by a committee established by the Minister of Culture. Among them, the directors and producers of five films accepted the committee's proposed amendments. According to Mr. Darvigh Zadeh, the five films "Daughter's House", "Father's House", "I Am Not Angry", "Lovely Trash", and "Paradise" received screening permits after the required amendments and will be screened soon. He announced that sections of two films, "Daughter's House" and "Paradise", have been re-shot, and some films received screening permits after removing certain sections. However, hours after this interview, ISNA reported without details that some filmmakers had not been officially informed about the lifting of their films' bans. This news agency did not mention the names of these films. Additionally, the Deputy of the Cinema Organization's comments about removing sections from "Father's House" and granting a screening permit for this film come at a time when Kianoush Aiyari has repeatedly emphasized that he is not willing to cut any scenes from this film. Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Culture in Hassan Rouhani's first government, had previously requested in a letter to Mohammad Mehdi Heydarian, head of the Cinema Organization, to determine the fate of banned films within two months. Mr. Darvigh Zadeh did not mention the names of the 12 films reviewed by this committee or the seven films that have not yet been unbanned. However, the "Tabnak" website reported that eight films, including "Resurrection" directed by Ahmad Reza Darvish, "Calm Streets" directed by Kamal Tabrizi, "Devoted; Nazanin, Bahareh, Tina" and "We Have Time Now" directed by Abdolreza Kahani, "Couch" directed by Kianoush Aiyari, "Report of a Celebration" directed by Ebrahim Hatami Kia, "Bear" directed by Khosrow Masoumi, and "Zamehrir" directed by Ali Royintan, will remain banned. According to this website, the five films that have received screening permits have also been unbanned with "significant cuts and adjustments". Meanwhile, Abdolreza Kahani, whose two films have not been unbanned, previously stated that if the requested cuts by the Ministry of Culture were made in "We Have Time Now", the film would be "20 minutes shorter and would no longer qualify as a cinematic film."

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Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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