Iranian director and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi has been handed a six-month prison sentence for screening his film “Leila’s Brothers” at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival without the necessary authorization from Iranian authorities. This move comes as part of a growing trend of Iranian filmmakers facing repercussions from the authoritarian regime, especially amidst recent protest movements.
Roustayi and his producer, Javad Noruzbegi, were found guilty by Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court of “contributing to propaganda of the opposition against the Islamic system.” As a result, they have been sentenced to nine days in jail, with the rest of the sentence suspended over five years. This effectively bans them from engaging in filmmaking during this period. The stipulations of the suspension include refraining from activities related to the committed crime, avoiding contact with individuals in the film industry, and attending a filmmaking course at the Qom Sound and Vision Academy.
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“Leila’s Brothers,” a film that revolves around an Iranian woman’s struggles to navigate corruption and the impact of international sanctions while supporting her family, was featured in the main competition at Cannes and even secured the FIPRESCI prize. Roustayi’s acceptance speech, in which he dedicated the film to those affected by a tragic building collapse in Abadan, sparked controversy and led to the film being banned from release in Iran. The authorities justified the ban by claiming that the film had violated rules by being submitted to international film festivals without proper authorization.
The case of Roustayi and Noruzbegi highlights the challenges faced by Iranian filmmakers who seek to express themselves creatively and navigate the strict regulations imposed by the government. They join the ranks of other artists and filmmakers who have faced legal action and imprisonment due to their defiance or involvement in protest movements.
This incident also sheds light on the broader struggle for artistic freedom and expression in Iran. The arrest of filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who won a Cannes award but was banned from attending, as well as the interrogation of prominent actresses who protested by appearing without mandatory hijabs, underscores the regime’s crackdown on dissent and creative expression.
The case of Saeed Roustayi serves as a reminder of the complex challenges faced by filmmakers in oppressive environments, where pursuing creative endeavors can lead to legal consequences. As the Iranian film industry continues to grapple with censorship and political restrictions, the international community observes with concern the fate of those who dare to use art as a means of addressing important societal issues.