The red carpet at the Berlin Film Festival has become a protest platform against the Iranian regime. A group of Iranian filmmakers demanded the release of jailed journalists and a rapper. They were joined by the president of the jury and the American actress Kristen Stewart.
According to Variety, the protesters included Golshifteh Farahani, who is also on the jury, actress Zara Amir Ebrahimi and Sirena director Sepide Farsi. The action was organized by the directors of the Berlinale Marietta Rissenbeck and Carlo Chatrian.
The meeting demanded the release of Iranian journalists Nilufar Hamedi and Elae Mohammadi, accused of “conspiring against national security” for being the first to report on the death of Mahsa Amini. They also campaigned for the release of hip-hop artist and dissident Tumaj Salehi: he was arrested and charged with spreading propaganda and faces the death penalty.
The Berlin red carpet protest was preceded by a panel titled “The Role of Cinema and Art in the Iranian Revolution.” Among the participants in the discussion were Ebrahimi and Farsi. Speaking about his Siren film, the latter said: “There is hope at the end of the film and I really wish Iranians felt that. I really hope we get the win soon.”
Recall that during the World Cup, the Iranian soccer team did not perform the country’s anthem before the game with England. This was seen as a sign of support for the protests that unfolded in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini.
