Iranian Activist Teachers React to Mohammad Rasoulof's Sentencing: Cancel This 'Medieval and Oppressive' Ruling

The widespread reactions from artists and political and union activists continue following the issuance of an 8-year prison sentence, lashes, fines, and confiscation of property against Mohammad Rasoulof, the famous Iranian director and filmmaker, by the Islamic Republic's appeals court. In the latest instance, a number of 'activist teachers' in Iran issued a statement noting that Mr. Rasoulof is the son of a couple of teachers who began their teaching careers by educating prisoners in Shiraz. They condemned the ruling against him and called for the cancellation of this 'medieval and oppressive' sentence. The statement addressed to the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic reads: 'With unjust and invalid rulings, you have hung the chains of your tyranny around the neck of art and led cinema to the slaughterhouse.' This group of activist teachers emphasized that the charge of 'conspiracy to commit a crime against national security' was due to this artist standing in the 'right place in history' and supporting the people and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement. They stated in part of this statement: 'He could have remained silent like some other filmmakers and been neutral, taking advantage of the government in the cinema, but he could not be indifferent to the inequalities, the collapse of morals, the pain and suffering of his compatriots, and the humiliation of education.' At the same time, the Iranian Writers' Association also condemned the 8-year prison sentence, lashes, and fines for Mohammad Rasoulof and called for its 'immediate and unconditional cancellation.' The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran also protested this ruling in a statement, describing it as indicative of the Islamic Republic's 'instrumental' use of the law for 'petty revenge against opponents.' This critical filmmaker, who has won awards at several international film festivals, has always been under pressure from the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic and has faced imprisonment and travel bans multiple times. Mr. Rasoulof was previously imprisoned on charges of 'propaganda against the government' and was released about 15 months ago. His latest film, 'The Sacred Fig,' is set to be screened in the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. Hadi Ghaemi, the director of the Iran Human Rights Campaign, attributed the 'heavy and oppressive' ruling against Mr. Rasoulof to his 'refusal to submit to security pressures' and that he did not withdraw his latest work from the Cannes Film Festival. The Iran Human Rights Campaign has urged participants in this year's Cannes Film Festival to loudly demand the lifting of restrictions and an end to security pressures against Mohammad Rasoulof and other independent and dissenting artists in Iran. Mr. Rasoulof has previously participated in the Cannes International Film Festival with films such as 'The Manuscripts Don't Burn,' 'Lerd,' and 'Iron Island.' He was arrested and banned from leaving the country after signing the 'Lay Down Your Gun' statement in July 2022, preventing him from traveling to France and judging the 'Un Certain Regard' section at Cannes. The new film by Mohammad Rasoulof has angered the government to such an extent; explanations by Babak Ghafouri-Azar. The Independent Filmmakers Association: Rasoulof's ruling showed that the law of the Islamic Republic is merely a tool for pettiness and revenge against opponents. The 8-year prison sentence for Mohammad Rasoulof, a critical filmmaker, was upheld in the appeals court. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran: The Islamic Republic fears 'freedom of art and expression.' Independent Iranian films are a bane to the regime; the Islamic Republic's pressure to remove 'The Sacred Fig' from Cannes. Ali Asgari, director of 'Earthly Verses,' was banned from leaving the country and prohibited from cinematic activities. The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk called for the lifting of Rasoulof's travel ban. Kaveh Farnam regarding Rasoulof's continued travel ban: It reflects the 'fear of the regime.'