Return of Turmoil to Iranian Cinema with the Seizure of Two Films

The broadcasting of Iranian film advertisements on Persian-language satellite networks has brought the judiciary into the cinema scene. Various Iranian media reported on Wednesday, June 9, that the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office ordered the seizure of the film "We Do Not Get Used to It," which has only been in theaters in Tehran for a week and during this time its advertisements were broadcasted on the GEM satellite network. The Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office had previously summoned the producers of three films, "50 Kilos of Cherry," "I Am Not Salvador," and "A Moment of Eternity," warning them about the broadcasting of their film advertisements on Persian-language satellite networks. The Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance also issued a statement urging film owners to refrain from broadcasting their advertisements on satellite networks. Nevertheless, in recent months, advertisements for various films have been broadcasted from the GEM television network, which many filmmakers and analysts believe played a significant role in increasing the box office sales of the films currently showing. Film producers claim that the advertisements are broadcasted due to the films being shown abroad and that they have no role in ordering these advertisements. However, the prosecutor's office issued the order to seize "We Do Not Get Used to It" while advertisements for other films are also being broadcasted from the GEM satellite network. Among these films are "Standing in the Dust" and "Scandal 2," both produced by entities and figures close to the Islamic Republic's regime. The producer of "Standing in the Dust," which narrates the life of Ahmad Metuselian, a commander from the Iran-Iraq war, is the "Owj Organization," affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. "Scandal 2" is the latest film by Masoud Dehnamaki, a well-known filmmaker close to the Islamic Republic, which has recently begun screening in Iranian cinemas. The creators of both films have issued statements claiming that they did not request the GEM network to broadcast their advertisements and that the network acted "unilaterally" in broadcasting them. The GEM network has not yet responded to these statements. The events surrounding "We Do Not Get Used to It" occur just one day after the order to seize "50 Kilos of Cherry," a film that Ali Jannati, Iran's Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, criticized and whose screening was halted by the Cinema Organization's order. This event has faced critical reactions from the Iranian Directors Guild. The recent developments have created a tense atmosphere in cinema, occurring at a time when Iranian cinema has witnessed one of its most successful Norooz screenings, and after that, Asghar Farhadi's film "The Salesman" won two important awards at the Cannes Film Festival. The creators of "We Do Not Get Used to It" have confirmed the issuance of the seizure order in a statement, stating that they are negotiating to resolve the issue.