Two Cinema Guilds Call Ban on Female Actors 'A Clear Example of Crisis Creation'

In response to the ban on artistic activities for several female actors opposing compulsory hijab, two guilds of Iranian cinema issued a joint statement accusing the executive officials of the Islamic Republic of law-breaking. The High Council of Cinema Producers and the Directors Guild of Iran expressed regret over the tragic murders of Dariush Mehrjui and Vahideh Mohammadi-Far, stating, 'While some of these actors have announced their unwillingness to continue their cinematic activities, the announcement of their ban by the Ministry of Culture is a clear example of crisis creation in cinema and, beyond that, a violation of the independence of powers and contrary to the Constitution and its subordinate laws.' These two organizations also supported the statements of Mohammad Mahdi Asgarpour, the chairman of the Cinema House, who said that 'banning crisis-creating officials instead of filmmakers is more just.' They emphasized their 'right to pursue legal action and demand justice' against the law-breaking of executive officials, regardless of their rank and position. The High Council of Cinema Producers and the Directors Guild of Iran stated that they stand 'with all female actors in Iranian cinema.' The director of the Cinema Organization's supervision department officially announced the ban on female actors who uncovered their hijabs in protest of the death of Mahsa Amini, declaring that these actors would no longer be allowed to act in any films. The banned female actors include: Baran Kowsari, Vishka Asayesh, Taraneh Alidoosti, Katayoun Riahi, Shabnam Farshadjou, Pantea Bahram, Hengameh Qaziani, Pegah Ahangarani, Maryam Bobani, Donya Madani, Golab Adineh, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, Shaghayegh Dehghan, Afsaneh Bayegan, Ronak Younesi, Pardis Afkari, Aban Asgari, Chekameh Chamanmah, and Shiva Ebrahimi. Taraneh Alidoosti wrote on Instagram: 'Banned from what? Do you want to ban five or six of us without trial and without crime? But banned from what? How pathetic that this matter, which is supposed to cost the lives and capital of the people, is such a futile act.' Hengameh Qaziani also wrote in her Instagram story that she has said goodbye to the world of acting. Previously, Katayoun Riahi reacted to the news of her ban in an Instagram story, stating: 'My honor does not allow me to work in today's cinema... Who are you?' Donya Madani also wrote on the social network 'X': 'It is a source of pride and honor for me that I am not under the supervision of any regime or government.' Rakhshan Bani-Etemad, a director, screenwriter, and producer, stated that banning artists in cinema and theater is a means of intimidating cultural and artistic figures into silence regarding surrounding events, emphasizing: 'Holding the right to work and express in exchange for silence and passivity in the face of pressure and hardship imposed on people during this time is not a sign of statesmanship.'