Member of Parliament: Actors Must Commit to Two Years of Hijab for Each Film; Indifference of Protesting Actors

While a member of parliament has stated that actors and presenters must commit to a two-year hijab obligation for each project, dissatisfied actors have ignored this government warning. Amirhossein Bankipour, a representative from Isfahan, explained that producers in cinema and television are required to obtain a commitment from their actors and presenters to adhere to the law for two years after the release of their work; otherwise, the work will be confiscated, and the producer will also face penalties. According to Bankipour, hijab plays a key role in the internal power of the regime, and the recent unveiling is a precursor to breaking the cultural authority of the system, the consequences of which will be seen in the future even for those opposing hijab. This warning comes as the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance announced that ten films are ready for release featuring actors who have either unveiled or fled the country after their roles. On September 1, the Cinema Organization declared that those actors who have unveiled or fled the country would not be allowed to participate in any productions. Habib Ilbeigi, Deputy for Supervision and Evaluation of the Cinema Organization, wrote to the Producers' Union on June 18, warning that producers should not collaborate with actors who have unveiled; otherwise, they would face difficulties in obtaining screening permits. These warnings from Islamic Republic officials come as some actors continue to emphasize their right to choose their hijab, disregarding legal threats and potential bans on work. In the latest protest against the mandatory hijab in Iran, Anahita Nahmti, a cinema actress, published hijab-free photos from her birthday on the same day the government designated as 'Chastity and Hijab Day.' The indifference of artists to hijab restrictions has even reached public spaces, as in May of this year, actress Pantea Bahram appeared without mandatory hijab at the screening of her new series, leading to the dismissal of the cinema manager who hosted her by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. In recent months, figures like Katayoun Riahi, Golab Adineh, and Fatemeh Motamed-Arya have also appeared in public without mandatory hijab, receiving significant public support. Following last year's widespread protests, many female actors joined the public in removing their mandatory hijab, resulting in legal cases against most of them, with some, including Katayoun Riahi and Hengameh Qaziani, being arrested.