Iranian Artists Abroad: Oscars Should Pay Attention to Underground Filmmakers in Iran

The Iranian Artists Abroad Film and Theater Association issued a statement on Tuesday, October 3, protesting the selection process for Iran's representative at the Oscars. The statement, titled 'Oscars with the Farabi Foundation,' notes that 'it seems that film festivals after the Woman, Life, Freedom movement are avoiding collaboration with government entities for film selection and are seeking to invite independent filmmakers.' The association further adds that 'we are witnessing that government institutions of the Islamic Republic, including the Farabi Foundation, which is the executive arm of the government in cinema affairs, intend to stop the trend of distancing from the repressive and censoring apparatus in Western countries.' According to the Iranian Artists Abroad Film and Theater Association, the introduction of the film 'In the Embrace of the Tree' by Babak Khajeh Pasha for the Oscars, which has passed through the channels of government censorship and its investors are affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards and intelligence agencies, has occurred within this framework. The association, while protesting such a process, has called for the Academy Awards to pay attention to the works of independent and underground filmmakers in Iran. Recently, inspired by the Mahsa 'Zhina' Amini movement and widespread protests in Iran, the association held the first 'Woman, Life, Freedom' film festival in several cities around the world, which received a lot of attention. Marjan Satrapi, the head of the festival's jury, told Voice of America that such programs are 'valuable actions' to support independent and non-governmental cinema in Iran. She also noted that the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' festival and similar programs outside Iran reflect the voice of the Iranian people's protests to the world. The Farabi Film Foundation announced on Saturday, September 31, the selection of 'In the Embrace of the Tree' by Babak Khajeh Pasha as Iran's representative for the international or non-English language category at the Oscars. Hamed Soleiman-Zadeh, a writer and film critic, expressed surprise at such a selection, stating to Voice of America that this work has no chance in the Oscar competition. He mentioned that forced migration and the written and unwritten work bans on many Iranian filmmakers are among the reasons why Iranian cinema has not been successful at the Oscars in recent years. This film critic also pointed to the interference of non-cinematic centers, including security agencies, in all cinematic affairs of the country, including the selection of Iran's representative for the Oscars, which has led to the selection committee members being figures approved by the regime. 'In the Embrace of the Tree' is being sent to the Academy Awards at a time when 'The Fig Seed of Temples' by Mohammad Rasoulof, an Iranian filmmaker, is participating in this competition as the representative of German cinema. Mohammad Rasoulof, who secretly made this controversial work in Iran, recently left the country secretly and is now residing in Germany. Last year, the film 'The Night Watchman' by Reza Mirkarimi was selected to participate in the Oscars but was eliminated in the preliminary stage and had no success. Asghar Farhadi, an Iranian filmmaker, has won the Oscar for Best International Feature Film twice with 'A Separation' and 'The Salesman.' Iranian dissident filmmakers are calling for the Academy Awards to reconsider the institution selecting Iran's representative film. 'In the Embrace of the Tree' is Iran's representative at the Oscars; Hamed Soleiman-Zadeh, film critic: it has no chance. Marjan Satrapi told Voice of America: the Islamic Republic, like all 'dictatorships in history,' will eventually fall. The Iranian Artists Abroad Film and Theater Association: Brave women of Iran are at the forefront of the fight against compulsory hijab. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran: The humanitarian and justice-seeking movement 'Woman - Life - Freedom' cannot be suppressed. The historical film 'William Tell' starring Golshifteh Farahani was screened at the Toronto Film Festival. The film 'Sisters' was screened at the Toronto Film Festival; a documentary about women's dream of singing in Iran. The Independent Filmmakers Association: In today's 'ruined city' of Iranian cinema, congratulating Cinema Day is 'offensive.' The passports of the creators of 'My Favorite Cake' have been confiscated again; Maryam Maqdami told the medical community: you are drowning society in a 'swamp of lies.' Reactions to the award given to the film 'Witness' in Venice; Somayeh Haqnegahdar: a great success for independent cinema in Iran. The film 'Seven Days' starring Vishka Asayesh was screened in Toronto; Mohammad Farakhmanesh, the producer: the film's message is respect for human rights and freedom.