Saeed Roustayi's Prison Sentence; Cannes Festival Directors' Reaction and Scorsese's Efforts to Overturn the Sentence

The directors of the Cannes Film Festival in France reacted to the prison sentence and social restrictions imposed on Saeed Roustayi, the director of the film 'Brothers Leila,' condemning this action by the Islamic Republic as a 'serious violation of freedom of expression.' Martin Scorsese also initiated a campaign calling for global unity to overturn this sentence. According to Agence France-Presse, the organizers of this prestigious film festival emphasized in a statement that 'Mr. Roustayi's conviction once again demonstrates a serious violation of freedom of expression for Iranian artists, filmmakers, producers, and cinema professionals.' The statement further noted that 'Cannes Festival, while expressing support for all those suffering from violence and revenge for creating and distributing their works, emphasizes that Cannes is their home.' In the latest global reaction, renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese launched a campaign called 'Justice for Iranian Filmmakers,' calling for public support for Saeed Roustayi and Javad Noroozbeigi, the director and producer of 'Brothers Leila.' In a message he shared on his Instagram page, including a link to an 'electronic signature' site, Scorsese wrote: 'We have less than 20 days to help draw enough attention for a review of their sentence. Please sign and share this petition for justice for Roustayi and Noroozbeigi so that the forces of good in the world prevail and their voices are heard.' This prominent filmmaker added: 'Roustayi and Noroozbeigi are two Iranian filmmakers who have been censored and sentenced to prison by the oppressive regime. Before them, Jafar Panahi, a well-known Iranian filmmaker, was banned from leaving the country and sentenced to six years in prison.' The film 'Brothers Leila' missed out on the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Festival in 2022 but won the International Federation of Film Critics award at the festival. Following this event, the Cinema Organization of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance suspended 'Brothers Leila' on charges of 'violations and defiance of regulations by its producer and director.' However, the film's release during Nowruz 1402 (2023) on social media was met with widespread public enthusiasm. After this success and the joy expressed by the director and crew of 'Brothers Leila' over the public's reception, some media outlets and government institutions attacked the film and its creators, leading to a verbal conflict between the producers and officials of the Ministry of Guidance. Ultimately, on Tuesday, August 14, Iranian media reported that Saeed Roustayi was sentenced to six months in prison for 'propaganda against the regime' and for making and distributing 'Brothers Leila' at the Cannes Festival. During the suspension, he was banned from any filmmaking activities and from associating with individuals active in the filmmaking field, and he must complete a course on 'filmmaking while preserving national and ethical interests' at the Qom Radio and Television University. This ruling faced strong backlash from the artistic community, with the House of Cinema describing it as 'humiliating' and damaging to the judiciary's reputation, stating: 'If you think that issuing such humiliating sentences helps solve problems, bring hearts closer, create joy and hope, and strengthen national security, here is the ball and the field. You have not succeeded so far, and you will not in the future either.' Voice of America reported from the press conference of 'Brothers Leila' at the Cannes Festival, where actor Saeed Pourasami condemned the ruling against Saeed Roustayi. Film critic Hamed Soleiman Zadeh called the ruling against Roustayi 'ridiculous.' The conviction of the director of 'Brothers Leila' to imprisonment and a work ban; crime: propaganda against the regime. The verbal conflict between officials of the Ministry of Guidance and Saeed Roustayi continues; 'Guidance takes the lead to avoid falling behind.' Criticism from government officials and state media against 'Brothers Leila' despite public support. A renewed gathering of filmmakers in front of Evin prison in support of Taraneh Alidoosti; Asghar Farhadi's reaction. Taraneh Alidoosti published a picture of herself without a hijab in support of public protests. Taraneh Alidoosti reacted to the banning of several actors from working. The film 'Brothers Leila' was suspended. The director of 'Brothers Leila' criticized cinema laws in Iran as extreme and unbearable.