Whispers Leading to the Seizure of Kahayani's Latest Film

Hours after the Fars news agency criticized Abdolreza Kahani's new film, Hojjatollah Ayubi, the head of the Cinema Organization, announced the film's seizure. Mr. Ayubi confirmed in a press conference that the film "Eradatmand; Nazanin, Bahareh, Tina" was seized by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance's Film License Council, stating he had not seen the film and could not make a judgment about it. Officials from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance have yet to release detailed information regarding this matter. Abdolreza Kahani, currently in France, has refrained from commenting on the official statements regarding the seizure of "Eradatmand; Nazanin, Bahareh, Tina." This news comes after Fars news agency harshly criticized the "process of issuing production licenses" for films by this Iranian director just hours before Ayubi's announcement. This conservative news agency referred to Kahani's previous film, "Rest Absolute," as "vulgar and trivial" and noted it was released amidst controversies. This is not the first time Kahani's films have faced censorship issues; his acclaimed film "The Horse is a Noble Animal" was previously accused by government officials of presenting an inappropriate image of corruption within the police force. The reputable English-language site "Variety" referred to Kahani as an independent filmmaker whom the Iranian government is trying to silence. Alyssa Simon, a critic for Variety, praised Kahani's film "Twenty," which won a special jury prize at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, and described him as a commanding director with a clear style that reflects his insightful and compassionate perspective. Fars news agency labeled Kahani as a "controversial" filmmaker who constructs what is in his mind in his execution. The agency accused the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance of failing to obtain a commitment from the director and producer to make the film according to the screenplay. Hojjatollah Ayubi, in a press conference, confirmed the film's seizure by the Film License Council, stating he had not seen the film and could not judge it. Kahani had previously criticized government officials before the 33rd Fajr Film Festival, stating that a new type of censorship had emerged in film management, where officials claim they cannot do anything and that his film would be controversial. Fars news agency described "Eradatmand; Nazanin, Bahareh, Tina" as filled with "immoral acts and violations of Islamic principles" and predicted that the members of the Film License Council would be "shocked" after watching the film. The film's synopsis only includes the question, "Where should we go tonight?" The cast includes Mahnaz Afshar, Tanaz Tabatabai, Sahar Dolatshahi, Mehran Ghafourian, and a newcomer named Aida Mahiani.