The Islamic Republic News Agency reports that the producer and director of the film 'Lizard' has decided to halt its screening in all cinemas across Iran. Manoochehr Mohammadi stated on Saturday during a meeting with domestic and foreign media held at the House of Cinema in Tehran that the film was only banned in a few cities, but due to pressure from religious leaders, he was advised to end the film's showing and collect all copies. 'Lizard' tells the story of a prisoner who steals a cleric's robe and turban, escapes from prison, and becomes a famous cleric. Since its release on April 21, the film has grossed nearly one million dollars. According to news reports, it is expected that Mohammadi will withdraw 'Lizard' from cinemas by Friday.
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Withdrawal of 'Lizard' from Iranian Cinemas - 2004-05-16
Feb 8, 2026
February 8, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
The Iranian film 'Lizard' has been withdrawn from cinemas following pressure from religious leaders. Producer Manoochehr Mohammadi announced the decision after initial bans in a few cities. This reflects ongoing tensions between artistic expression and religious authority in Iran.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
The withdrawal of 'Lizard' underscores the ongoing conflict between creative expression and religious conservatism in Iran.
👥 Key Players
Manoochehr Mohammadi
MENTIONED
Producer and Director of 'Lizard'
"He represents the artistic community in Iran and faces challenges from religious authorities."
Religious Leaders
MENTIONED
Influential figures in Iran's political and social landscape
"They hold significant power over cultural and artistic expressions in Iran."
📰 What Happened
The film 'Lizard' was withdrawn from Iranian cinemas after pressure from religious leaders, despite initial success at the box office. The producer announced the decision to halt screenings and collect copies of the film.
- The film grossed nearly one million dollars since its release on April 21.
- It was initially banned in a few cities before the complete withdrawal.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: This incident highlights the struggle between artistic expression and religious authority, impacting filmmakers and cultural discourse.
🌍 Regional: It may influence other countries in the region dealing with similar issues of censorship and artistic freedom.
🌐 International: The withdrawal of the film could draw attention to Iran's restrictions on freedom of expression, affecting its international image.
📚 Background
In Iran, the film industry often faces censorship and restrictions due to the influence of religious authorities, which can lead to conflicts over artistic content.
Censorship in Iran
Artistic expression and religious authority
📡 Source:
STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence:
70%
The report comes from the Islamic Republic News Agency, which may reflect government perspectives and biases.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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