Pedro Almodóvar, Ali Abbasi and More Film Figures Fight Prosecution of Iranian Directors

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There’s a significant stir within the global cinema world as Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha are being called to court in their home country, while they work on their 2024 Berlin Film Festival film titled My Favourite Cake.

The group known as the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) has once again made clear its strong backing for Moghadam and Sanaeeha, who are set to stand trial by Iran’s Revolutionary Court on March 1st.

The allegations made against them revolve around the creation and dissemination of a film titled “My Favourite Cake”, which tells the story of a woman living in Tehran, who explores her desires once more amidst a nation where women’s liberties are significantly limited.

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The accusations against them involve the manufacture and circulation of their production called “My Favourite Cake”, a film that portrays the journey of a woman in Tehran rediscovering her passions, as she confronts the challenging circumstances where women’s freedoms are greatly restricted.

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The claims against them deal with the fabrication and distribution of their work named “My Favourite Cake”, a movie that depicts the life of a woman in Tehran reawakening her desires under strict conditions for women’s rights in her country.

Initially, authorities conducted searches on the set of the movie’s editor back in 2023, as stated by ICFR. This action placed Moghadam and Sanaeeha under ongoing investigation by the Iranian government. The Iranian administration’s pursuit subsequently resulted in a travel restriction for these directors, preventing them from attending the world premiere of their film at the 2024 Berlinale in person, as they shared with THR previously.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that the International Conference on Film Restoration (ICFR) has initiated a petition that is swiftly gaining traction within the global cinema community. With over 2,200 signatures already collected, esteemed filmmakers like Pedro Almodóvar, Juliette Binoche, Céline Sciamma, Joachim Trier, Hiam Abbass, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Ali Abbasi, and Arthur Harari have lent their support. Prestigious institutions such as the Berlinale, Venice Film Festival, Quinzaine des Cinéastes, European Film Academy, and Sydney Film Fest have also signed on. I encourage everyone who cherishes cinema to join this important movement.

At the 2024 Berlinale, Moghadam and Sanaeeha declared: “We’ve found it impossible to portray an authentic Iranian woman’s story while adhering to strict rules like the mandatory hijab. These women whose lives are limited by boundaries that prohibit genuine representation, as complete human beings. This time, we chose to disregard all these restrictive boundaries and face the consequences of our decision to depict a true image of Iranian women – images that have been forbidden in Iranian cinema since the Islamic Revolution.

Following numerous grilling sessions at the Evin Security Prosecutor’s Office, the pair are now anticipated to appear in court this coming Saturday, charged with:
1. Spreading anti-regime messages,
2. Creating, disseminating, and replicating a film containing explicit material,
3. Violating public decency and morality standards, and
4. Showcasing the film without acquiring the necessary screening/distribution permit.

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2025-02-26 19:24