In Cannes, Hope’s Raised Then Dashed Over Filmmaker’s Imprisonment in Iran

[demoleft]

Source: indiewire

Confusion is surrounding an announcement in Cannes that detained Iranian director Jafar Panahi would be freed today. The news was contrasted by word that Panahi’s incarceration may be extended and that the filmmaker would in fact begin a hunger strike.

The dramatic and conflicting information gripped a press conference here today with fellow Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami. The leading Iranian filmmaker spoke out in solidarity with Panahi this afternoon at the Cannes Film Festival, advocating on behalf of the freedom of filmmakers in Iran.

“The government does not accept the independence of filmmakers and the independent filmmaker,” Kiarostami said this afternoon during a press conference. “They will not approve our films if they don’t like our films. My films go overseas because of the fact that I have contacts overseas and they are unable to control this.”
...

In today’s statement, he continued, “In March, I published an open letter that only appeared in one site in Iran and in the New York Times in the USA. In it, I alluded to Jafar Panahi’s situation, but also all Iranian independent filmmakers who are held and cannot work. The responsiblity is on the authorities who keep them imprisoned. If Jafar remains in jail then at least we need an explanation. How can a filmmaker be held for a film and even a film that has not even made? In conclusion, I apologize to the crew of this film and all of you who have come here to talk about my film, “Certified Copy”... We’ll do a couple of questions concerning this and then we’ll talk about my film.”

Read more: http://www.indiewire.com/article/in_cannes_hope_is_raised_then_dashed_at_press_conference_over_filmmakers_im/

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[ConcernedCanuk]

1. So what? - the USA detains CHILDREN if they feel like it

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.
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and more apropos

didn't the USA incarcerate thousands during their 'red'(soviet) scare in the past??

And USA/Israel HAVE been blatantly threatening Iran with military action for over 5 years

So I do NOT blame Iran for any of its actions to protect itself from the West.

METHODS? - yeah, but until I see that Iran has thousands of USAmericans under wrongful detention, or slaughtering millions across the globe

I have a problem with seeing the USA/allies as the "good guys"

and yeah

that includes our Canadian involvement in Afghanistan

we should NOT be there

not as warriors

[Robb]

2. Now we've advanced to being an apologist for Iran?

The devolving continues.

[demoleft]

3. sure. iran is the ideal place for any democratic. congratulations. n/t