Events Surrounding the Film 'Resurrection' in Conversation with the Head of the Cinema Guild Council

Although it was expected that the definite postponement of the screening of the film 'Resurrection' would quell the controversies surrounding it, last week comments from some officials once again brought the discussion about this film into the media space of Iran. The unexpected remarks about this film came from Brigadier General Masoud Jazayeri, the cultural deputy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Iran, who stated that the Ministry of Culture was hasty in delaying the screening of 'Resurrection.' This military official of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also described the demonstrators outside one of the cinemas showing 'Resurrection' on its opening day as being affiliated with a movement he called 'American Islam.' In another comment, Ali Jannati, the Minister of Culture, also attributed the gathering to the film's cinematic competitors, stating that the individuals present had no religious motivation. Despite these comments, the status of the film's screening remains unclear. Abolhassan Davoodi, a filmmaker and the head of the Cinema Guild Council, in analyzing the situation surrounding 'Resurrection,' says that recent talks could increase hopes for the film's screening: 'We are hopeful. 'Resurrection' is one of the notable films of recent years, which has taken at least ten years to make, and its creators, especially Mr. Darvish, have followed all the necessary legal and customary procedures. Therefore, such behavior from the Ministry of Culture, which disregards its own regulations and legality, first and foremost undermines all the legal standards that cinema professionals have adhered to over the years. Thus, any event that leads us to respect these legal processes will naturally be welcomed by all cinema professionals.' In recent weeks, with the suspension of 'Resurrection's' screening, the Ministry of Culture has once again faced criticism from filmmakers who are protesting the ministry's retreat from its issued permits. Previously, the Ministry of Culture had refrained from screening several films despite having issued screening licenses due to pressures from some members of parliament. Abolhassan Davoodi analyzes the reasons for the recurrence of such decisions by the Ministry of Culture, stating: 'I think sometimes conservatism and perhaps efforts at various managerial levels prevent them from fulfilling their legal responsibilities to the end, which is why such cases occur. The impact and harm of these decisions also affect the entire cinema.' The Cinema Guild Council is the supervising body for cinema screenings and the planning of film showings. Abolhassan Davoodi, who is the head of this council, states regarding the council's authority in cases like 'Resurrection': 'The issuance of film screening permits is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture. The most important task of the Cinema Guild Council is to supervise and balance the screening process of films. Additionally, it oversees the issue of ensuring fairness in screenings as much as possible. However, there are cases where the Ministry of Culture can make decisions based on the regulations of the Council of Ministers with a governmental decree, and the council is obliged to comply. The decision regarding 'Resurrection' falls under these cases. The Ministry of Culture has the right to prevent the screening of a film or not grant permission for its showing. However, it must adhere to its legal limits and provide explanations for its decisions.' In cinema screenings, the continued low sales of the film 'Do Not Take Rewards from the President' forced the Cinema Guild Council this week to replace it with another film. According to this council, starting from Wednesday, the film 'Qandoun Jahizieh' directed by Ali Malaghli Pour, starring Akbar Abdi, Saber, and Negar Javaherian, will be screened in the Life Cinema Group. This film has a comedic theme about a young couple's struggle to remain in a house whose lease is about to expire. In other cinema groups, films remaining from previous weeks are expected to continue their screenings. Babak Ghafari Azar is a producer for 'Scene' at Radio Farda and follows developments in the cinema and theater sectors. He joined Radio Farda in 2010 and has published various investigative reports about events in the first decade of the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Babak Ghafari Azar began journalism in Iran in 2001.