Three Iranian Film Producers Summoned to Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office

Producers of three films, "Nameless Alley," "Eternal and a Day," and "50 Kilos of Cherry" have been summoned to the fourth branch of the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office. ISNA reported on Tuesday, June 10, that these individuals were summoned due to "broadcasting their promotional trailers on satellite channels." The producers are Saeed Malekan of "Eternal and a Day," Morteza Shayesteh of "50 Kilos of Cherry," and Lashgari Qoochani of "Nameless Alley." Mansour Lashgari Qoochani announced on Tuesday that Sadegh Larijani, the head of the judiciary, was present in the court reviewing the broadcasting of film trailers on satellite channels as a "defendant." According to Mehr news agency, Mr. Lashgari Qoochani stated in this session that "Iranian cinema is bankrupt and needs support from various institutions, including IRIB, telecommunications, and the municipality, in terms of information dissemination." He also added that "these three institutions have not fulfilled their duties in supporting cinema, which has led producers to resort to various advertising methods to avoid bankruptcy." As this producer mentioned, they have not "provided their promotional trailers to satellite channels as Iranian film producers." Lashgari Qoochani also announced that the head of the judiciary suggested establishing a group to examine the advertising issues in cinema after speaking with the court judge. Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Tehran, had previously reported on June 8 that several producers of the "anti-revolutionary films abroad" were being prosecuted. Mr. Dolatabadi warned these individuals about "broadcasting their promotional trailers on satellite channels." This judicial official also reported the arrest of eight producers of music clips, which he described as "vulgar and unauthorized." He stated that these music clips were broadcast on a well-known network that he labeled as "anti-revolutionary." The Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office has been assigned to handle the cases of these eight music clip producers. Shortly after this news was published, Saeed Montazeralmahdi, the spokesperson for the police, announced that the police would confront the creators of satellite clips produced in Tehran. Judicial officials and the Ministry of Culture have repeatedly stated in recent years that cooperation with satellite networks and advertising on these networks is against the laws of the Islamic Republic. They have also warned that they will confront anyone who collaborates with satellite networks outside Iran in any way. Many officials of the Islamic Republic cite satellite network programs as one of the most important factors in changing lifestyle in Iran. Despite the ban on using satellite receivers in Iran, many reports indicate a growing trend among the people towards satellite network programs. The scope of confrontations with activists in fashion, cinema, music, art, and television has significantly increased in the past month following speeches by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of Iran. In the past month, Mr. Khamenei has made sharp and explicit remarks criticizing and rejecting fashion, brands, foreign travel, and English language education in schools and educational institutions. The summoning of three producers to the prosecutor's office may also align with this new wave of confrontations with these activists. "Nameless Alley," "Eternal and a Day," and "50 Kilos of Cherry" are three films that conservatives have protested against and called for their screening to be halted.