Screening of "Witness" by Nader Saei-Vor at the Venice Film Festival; a film made without adhering to mandatory hijab laws in Iran

The artistic website "Variety" has published a report about the screening of "Witness" directed by Nader Saei-Vor at the 81st Venice Film Festival. This film, featuring Maryam Bobani, Hana Kamkar, and Ghazal Shojaei, was made without adhering to Iran's mandatory hijab laws and is considered a work within the framework of independent or underground cinema. "Witness" is Nader Saei-Vor's third film and is a co-production of Iran, Germany, and Austria, set to screen in the "Horizons Expanded" section of Venice. He, who has previously collaborated with Jafar Panahi, co-wrote the screenplay for "Witness" with this renowned Iranian filmmaker. In an interview with "Variety," Nader Saei-Vor states that he learned from Jafar Panahi as a "master" and takes pride in collaborating with him. This film, produced during the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement, tells the story of a retired dance teacher named Terlan who claims that her friend Rana was murdered by her abusive and influential husband, who is a government official. The police are unwilling to investigate the matter, but Terlan, played by Maryam Bobani, refuses to give up despite all challenges. Nader Saei-Vor tells "Variety" that the struggles of Iranian women for freedom peaked during the 1979 Revolution but were "suppressed" from the very beginning. According to this filmmaker, he chose an older female actor as the protagonist to show the continuation of this movement. He adds that the struggle continues, but its nature has changed. Nader Saei-Vor reminds that this movement is non-violent, and this generation fights with dance, is unafraid, and is joyful. In another section, referring to the presence of traditional and religious women in Iranian society, he states that the Iranian women seen in the media who bravely say no to tyranny and fascism do not represent all Iranian women, but they are undoubtedly among the "best." Nader Saei-Vor emphasizes that he does not consider himself a festival filmmaker and is more interested in telling the stories of Iranian women to cinema audiences in small towns. He also recalls the injustices faced by Iranian filmmakers and hopes that one day Iranian artists will enjoy their basic rights. Nader Saei-Vor describes the Islamic Republic as an "octopus," stating that removing its thousands of arms and legs from the sick body of the country is "very difficult." He adds that to survive, sometimes one must retreat and then attack again to regain lost positions. In a text published on the Venice Film Festival website, he states about his film: "Witness is a reflection of the current state of Iranian society, showing how the government manages the country, and how people must obey laws even at the cost of risking their dignity." He continues, "This story shows that in the face of a repressive regime, people who strive to maintain their dignity and humanity are eliminated in conditions where the truth must remain hidden." Nader Saei-Vor states: "The antagonist of this story is an ordinary citizen who deals with foreign governments to circumvent economic sanctions imposed by the Iranian regime. Therefore, any crimes committed by these individuals are hidden or ignored by the government." He adds, "As long as these individuals continue to act as intermediaries, they are important to the regime. "Witness" provides a personal story that looks at this situation in Iran. The murder committed by one of these intermediaries must be covered up, but there is a witness, and this witness does not sell their dignity in the face of political pressure and fear." The 81st Venice International Film Festival opened on Wednesday, September 7, in Italy, with no Iranian films in the main competitive section of this cinematic event. This trend has continued since the recent nationwide protests in Iran, and prestigious global festivals do not accept works from the Iranian government's cinema. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran, "IFMA," will hold a "flash mob" or "spontaneous and purposeful group meeting" on the sidelines of the Venice Film Festival, marking the second anniversary of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. This event, scheduled for Thursday, September 15 (September 5), is organized in collaboration with the "Democratic Association of Iranians-Venice," and according to Mahshid Zamani, a member of "IFMA," its aim is to raise awareness about the painful situation of Iranian filmmakers and artists under repression. Ms. Zamani tells Voice of America: "Last year was a bitter year for Iranian cinema. The murder of five filmmakers, imprisonment, bans on work, bans on leaving the country, and other heavy sentences issued by incompetent courts for members of the Iranian artistic community reflect the endless terror of the regime over freedom of expression." According to Mahshid Zamani, IFMA has invited filmmakers, artists, and prominent figures to participate in this event, which will take place next to the festival entrance, in protest against the oppression and repression prevailing in Iran, and to continue the call for the release of all political prisoners and the abolition of the death penalty. Mahshid Zamani discusses the absence of films made by Iranian government institutions and organizations at prestigious festivals like Venice, stating: "Undoubtedly, the Women, Life, Freedom uprising and the solidarity created in the international community with Iranians play the most important role in eliminating the presence of state-sponsored art in festivals." She emphasizes that the efforts of independent filmmakers and artists to convey this message to the global artistic community have also significantly contributed to this change. Ms. Zamani comments on the new approach of film festivals towards the Islamic Republic officials, stating that the main message is that "their propaganda henna no longer has color!" She discusses the importance of screening independent Iranian cinema and its characteristics, saying: "A camera that does not depict the common lie of the image of Iranian women under mandatory hijab is a powerful and honorable camera, and the real image that these artists' cameras present of the people of Iran is the most important achievement of this cinema." She adds that these are images and works that, without any extra words and without political bias, render the regime's 40-year propaganda ineffective.