You are forbidden from making movies for 20 years.
Do not write scripts. Do not travel outside of the country. Do not speak with the media. Do not express your oppositional political opinions.
These are the outrageous conditions tacked on to acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi’s six-year prison sentence. Last month, Panahi was sentenced after being convicted of making an anti-government film without permission and inciting opposition protests after the disputed 2009 presidential election1.
Anyone who values free expression cannot afford to turn away from this blatant and unjust punishment. As a fellow filmmaker, I certainly could not. That is why I, along with British-Iranian actress and Amnesty International spokesperson Nazanin Boniadi, are leading the charge in condemning Jafar Panahi’s sentence.
Please join us – do not allow creativity to be condemned in Iran.
Jafar Panahi’s case resonates on many levels with so many great artists, activists and talents around the world including Martin Scorsese, Sean Penn, Harvey Weinstein, Roxana Saberi, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Sir Patrick Stewart, Hans Zimmer, Deepa Mehta, Susan Sarandon, Ridley Scott and many, many more.
His most recent film “Offside” tells the story of girls in Iran who are forbidden by law to watch a World Cup soccer match. Unique and powerful stories like this one deserve to be told. Brave voices like Jafar Panahi’s are worth fighting for.
Carrying the torch for Jafar Panahi will also light the way for Panahi’s artistic collaborator, Mohammad Rasoulof – who was also sentenced to six years in prison – and the countless other creative voices being silenced in Iran today.
Call on Iranian officials to reverse the harsh sentences against Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
Thank you for helping us shine a light.
These are the outrageous conditions tacked on to acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi’s six-year prison sentence. Last month, Panahi was sentenced after being convicted of making an anti-government film without permission and inciting opposition protests after the disputed 2009 presidential election 1.
Anyone who values free expression cannot afford to turn away from this blatant and unjust punishment. As a fellow filmmaker, I certainly could not. That is why I, along with British-Iranian actress and Amnesty International spokesperson Nazanin Boniadi, are leading the charge in condemning Jafar Panahi’s sentence.
Please join us – do not allow creativity to be condemned in Iran.
Jafar Panahi’s case resonates on many levels with so many great artists, activists and talents around the world including Martin Scorsese, Sean Penn, Harvey Weinstein, Roxana Saberi, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Sir Patrick Stewart, Hans Zimmer, Deepa Mehta, Susan Sarandon, Ridley Scott and many, many more.
His most recent film “Offside” tells the story of girls in Iran who are forbidden by law to watch a World Cup soccer match. Unique and powerful stories like this one deserve to be told. Brave voices like Jafar Panahi’s are worth fighting for.
Carrying the torch for Jafar Panahi will also light the way for Panahi’s artistic collaborator, Mohammad Rasoulof – who was also sentenced to six years in prison – and the countless other creative voices being silenced in Iran today.
Call on Iranian officials to reverse the harsh sentences against Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
Thank you for helping us shine a light.
