Iranian Artists Abroad: Brave Women of Iran are at the Forefront of the Struggle Against Mandatory Hijab

The Iranian Artists Association of Film and Theater Abroad issued a statement on Saturday, September 24, on the eve of the second anniversary of the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests in Iran, stating that "the Iranian society believes in the victory of this movement against over four decades of physical, psychological, and cultural repression." The statement commemorated the memory of Mahsas, Nikas, Khodannours, Sarinas, Shahous, and hundreds of young people killed by the Islamic regime in Iran, as well as thousands of political prisoners, victims who lost their eyesight due to gunfire from security forces, those executed, tortured, and activists who were driven to suicide due to government harassment. The association expressed its greetings to freedom and legal equality advocates, the mothers of the victims, imprisoned and pressured artists, and all freedom-loving individuals striving for change and human rights in Iran. The Iranian Artists Association of Film and Theater Abroad reminded that the "ruthless" government repression apparatus in Iran has not been able to revert the society's situation to what it was before the movement, despite all the resources at its disposal. The statement continued that the "brave" women of Iran continue to be at the forefront of the struggle against the imposition of the Islamic hijab and the deprivation of their rights by the Islamic Republic. According to the association, some filmmakers refuse to make films under mandatory hijab and reject collaboration with government bodies, while a large portion of the Iranian people have turned their backs on the regime. The Iranian Artists Association of Film and Theater Abroad noted that the prominent role of women in resisting the regime's killings and executions led to the organization of the first "Women, Life, Freedom" film festival to honor the movement, focusing on women and minorities. In conclusion, the association stated, "We believe in the victory of this movement against over four decades of physical, psychological, and cultural repression of Iranian society and see ourselves alongside all freedom-seekers striving for a free Iran without censorship and repression." The first "Women, Life, Freedom" film festival, inspired by the Mahsa "Jina" Amini movement and recent nationwide protests in Iran, will be held from September 26 for six days in several cities in the USA, Canada, and Europe. Shabnam Farshadjou, a member of the Iranian Artists Association of Film and Theater Abroad and spokesperson for the festival, told Voice of America that among the works received from various countries, including Iran, 28 films have been selected in four categories: documentary, narrative, experimental, and animated painting, which will be reviewed by the jury. The jury for the first "Women, Life, Freedom" film festival includes Australian filmmaker Marie Cameron, Maryam Keshavarz, Maryam Palizban, Pouya Mohseni, Ashkan Khatibi, and Pegah Ahangarani, chaired by Marjane Satrapi. Hossein Khandan, a member of the association and festival director, told Voice of America that since the Iranian Artists Association of Film and Theater Abroad was formed in the context of the "Women, Life, Freedom" revolutionary movement, it was natural that the main focus of this festival would also be based on honoring the progressive goals of this revolutionary movement. Regarding the composition of the jury, he said, "We tried to invite not only globally recognized figures but also those who were very active during the Women, Life, Freedom movement. Marjane Satrapi is the most prominent figure who chairs the jury. In addition to publishing a book about Women, Life, Freedom, she strongly believes in this movement, to the extent that she considers it more important and valuable than the Constitutional Revolution."