Iran Filmmaker Reza Dormishian Barred From Journey to India Pageant

Filmmaker Reza Dormishian has been barred by Iranian authorities from touring to the Worldwide Movie Pageant of India in Goa, the place “A Minor,” a movie he produced was as a result of play in competitors.

He’s solely the newest member of Iran’s movie neighborhood to be sanctioned by the Iranian regime for expressing anti-government views.

Dormishian had been invited by IFFI to accompany the movie that was directed by Dariush Mehrjui. Nonetheless, the Iranian authorities didn’t grant him a allow to go away Iran. The movie performed on Thursday and Friday.

“A Minor” tells a narrative of a lady who’s torn between her free-thinking daughter, who desires to review music, and her extra conservative husband.

When Dormishian went to the airport his passport was confiscated. “He was referred to the court docket of legislation for prosecution,” sources near the filmmaker report. It’s not clear if Dormishian was arrested or what prices he should reply.

The actions in opposition to Dormishian are, nevertheless, understood to be instantly linked to his social media commentary concerning the Iranian authorities over the previous couple of weeks. “All through the nationwide protests in Iran, Dormishian shared numerous posts on his Instagram account to point out help for the numerous developments,” sources near the director-producer mentioned.

Iran is at present in turmoil following the dying in September of 22-year-old Kurdish girl Mahsa Amini whereas in police custody. She had arrested in Tehran as a result of she allegedly breached the Islamic Republic’s strict gown code for ladies.

Even earlier than the present wave of protests, Iranian authorities had been carrying on a significant crackdown on the filmmaking neighborhood. Iranian filmmakers Mohammad Rosoulof and Mostafa Al-Ahmad have been arrested in July for posting a press release on social media within the wake of a violent authorities arrest. A couple of days later, dissident Iranian auteur Jafar Panahi, recognized globally for prizewinning works corresponding to “Offside” and “Taxi,” was additionally arrested after inquiring about his imprisoned friends.

Since then, a minimum of three different filmmakers have been barred from exiting Iran. In October, Iranian filmmaker Mani Haghighi had his passport confiscated on the airport as he was about to board a flight to attend the BFI London Movie Pageant. Haghighi was anticipated to current there the U.Ok. premiere of his newest movie, “Subtraction.”

Farnaz Jurabchian and Mohammadreza Jurabchian the co-directors of “Silent Home” have been barred from touring at the start of November when their documentary movie had its world premiere at IDFA in The Netherlands. 

Contacted by Selection, an IFFI spokesman mentioned that the competition would decline any remark.