Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran: The Islamic Republic Fears 'Freedom of Art and Expression'

The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran (IFMA) issued a statement protesting the widespread repression of artists by the Islamic Republic. In the statement released on Monday evening, May 10, it stated: 'The poisoning of Taraneh Alidoosti and Mostafa Al-Ahmad during their captivity, the issuance of a death sentence for the popular rapper Tomaj Salehi, the arrest of the crew of the film 'Sacred Fig Seed' by Mohammad Rasoulof, and the revelation of government lies regarding the murder of Kiumars Pourahmad, Dariush Mehrjui, and Vahideh Mohammadi-Far, all confirm the regime's fear of freedom of art and expression.' The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran further expressed its 'disgust' at the government's use of terror tools to silence the voices of artists who stood with the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement alongside the people, supporting 'the brave artists who do not tolerate oppression, injustice, and discrimination.' The statement comes at a time when the issuance of a death sentence for Tomaj Salehi and reports of pressure from the Islamic Republic on Mohammad Rasoulof and his new film crew have received widespread global attention. Last week, the Cannes Film Festival announced the selection of Mohammad Rasoulof's film 'Sacred Fig Seed' for its main competition section. No information has yet been released about the story, details, or production of the film. Babak Paknia, a lawyer, announced on Monday, May 10, that some of the film's crew members had been summoned recently and some had been banned from leaving the country. According to this lawyer, these individuals have been asked to persuade Mohammad Rasoulof to withdraw his film from the Cannes Festival. This renowned Iranian director is a familiar name at Cannes, having previously participated with films such as 'The Manuscripts Don't Burn,' 'Lerd,' and 'Iron Island.' He was selected as a judge for the 'Un Certain Regard' section of the Cannes Festival in the summer of 2022 but could not travel to France due to being banned from leaving the country by the Islamic Republic. This Iranian filmmaker was arrested before the recent nationwide protests and the emergence of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in Iran for signing a petition protesting the violent suppression of protesters by government forces. Mohammad Rasoulof is one of the most prominent critics of the Iranian regime and has been imprisoned multiple times for his anti-government statements. He has been banned from working and leaving the country for seven years, although he works secretly and underground in Iran. Kaveh Farnam, a member of the Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran, previously told Voice of America: 'Undoubtedly, the deprivation of the right to travel, especially for attending as a judge at a prestigious festival like Cannes, in a section where he has won awards three times in 2011, 2015, and 2017, not only harms Mr. Rasoulof personally and professionally but also damages Iranian cinema and prevents the credibility of independent Iranian cinema.' This filmmaker stated: 'The pressure, violence, and security atmosphere that envelops the entire society undoubtedly affect the cinematic community and its prominent artists, leading to summons, interrogations, pressure, and threats for false and forced confessions.' Kaveh Farnam says: 'The threats are primarily indicative of the regime's fear and terror, fear of the people and society, and fear of the influence and impact of filmmakers on the public, but the work continues.' Marjan Satrapi won the 'Princess of Asturias' award in Spain. Independent Iranian films are a bane for the regime; the Islamic Republic pressures to remove 'Sacred Fig Seed' from Cannes. Kiumars Pourahmad's daughter denied his suicide: 'My father had many plans to execute but felt the danger.' Taraneh Alidoosti's diagnosis of a 'severe and unknown illness'; this protesting artist's mother: 'Send her love.' The film 'My Favorite Cake' at three international festivals; its creators remain banned from leaving the country. The film 'The Intern' by Ali Abbasi entered the competitive section of Cannes; a work about the youth of Donald Trump. The documentary 'Revolution on Canvas' about Nikzad Najumi; Sara Najumi: 'This is a political, artistic, and at the same time personal work.'