Iranian of the Day

Fatemeh Motamed Aria was photographed having removed her hejab at the Cannes Film Festival in May (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images for Doha Film Institute). It's not clear whether it was her hair showing or the green wristband she was wearing in that photograph, but since then she has been attacked by Kayhan, Raja News, members of the Parliament, and Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance which has banned her from working as an actress now.  "Ashpazbashi," the very popular Iranian series in which she was playing with Parviz Parastooee came to an abrupt end this week. You may recall that last year after the murder of several street protesters, she was arrested along with Jafar Panahi at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, as they tried to pay their respects to the young martyrs.  They were released shortly thereafter. See related news in Payvand and Kodoom. Also Persian article quoting the conservative MP and in Khodnevis. Here's a clip of the series she was playing in, "Ashpazbashi":