State versus Filmmakers - Iran

August 2002
This fascinating piece profiles Iran's dissident filmmakers whose work proves that "censorship is the mother of all metaphors". Cinema here uses symbols to explore the darker side of society. "The Circle" tackles forbidden subjects like prostitution in defiance of Iran's hardline clerics. The film has sold to 37 countries, but has never been seen in Iran. Its director Jafar Panahi refuses to make the cuts demanded by the censors. The clerics have threatened to burn the film if they ever see a copy. Panahi says "They are afraid that if awareness increases or a new idea is expressed, they may lose their power". Tahmineh Milani has run into far more trouble with the authorities. She could face the death sentence for crimes she's accused of due to her film "The Hidden Half". It's a love story set in the brutal period following the Revolution. Her husband says the charges are a fabrication to silence filmmakers. Bahman Farmanara says cinema in Hollywood, where there is "censorship by financing" can be just as restrictive. And Iranian filmmakers have the power to shape society.

Produced by SBS/Dateline
Distributed by Journeyman Pictures

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Documentary
• Filmmaking
• Iran
• Filmmakers
• Cinema
• Iranian
• Jafar
• Panahi
• Censorship
• Bahman
• Farmanara
• Journeyman
• Pictures
• news
• documentary
• current affairs
• journeyman
• journeyman pictures

[simonv90]

Free Panahi

[TTaranak]

Great movie and so apropos for the current events!! Good luck from Canada to Iran!!

[bijo2000]

Despite the government restrictions Iranian cinema since more than a decade is pioneering a new age in filmmaking winning awards in film festivals worldwide.

Big thanks and Bravo to all innovative and brave Iranian filmmakers.

[ameetis1]

@anticliche321 Many Iranians have averted Islam, and the other truth is that Iranian women love fashion and beauty, and hate hijab that restrict them, so they uncover their hair as much as they can to protest this unhuman restriction,

[ISuperLoveMovies]

Iran is one of the greatest countries when it comes to film-making. There are so many truly great films, that are just so raw and timeless!

[Metatheist]

allah be fucked

[95sour]

Down with the dictator

Down with the censorship.

Marg bar khamenei

Marg bar khamenei.

[vlad013]

@anticliche321 according to islam adult women are not allowed without hijab in public places. however most of the muslim countries have been forced to have secular government and islam has been compartmentalized through secular media and secular educational system and as a result of that , often one may find many muslim women arnt wearing hijab although it is a must for a muslim woman.

[CASEMAN57]

Iranian film makers are a source of pride and inspiration for all Iranians, inside and outside Iran.