Why Iranian Films Are In Limbo

Posted Wednesday 23 Feb 2011

It's been two months since the Iranian Ministry of Justice sentenced acclaimed filmmakers Jafar Panahi (The Circle) and Mohammad Rasoulof (Iron Island) to six years in prison. Whether the verdict will hold has much to do with forces ranging from film festival support to global politics to saving face.
Panahi and Rasoulof are currently out on bail, presumably awaiting the outcome of an appeal that had to be filed, according to Islamic law, within 20 days of the Revolutionary Court's verdict. But according to one recent report in Variety, Rasoulof, in the interim, has actually been given approval by the Ministry of Culture to make a new film. Such contradictions indicate the complexity of the filmmakers' situations and the public relations problems that their cases have created for the Islamic Republic. This excellent article on IndieWire has more.
Don't forget that Amnesty International is holding a White Ribbon Screening this weekend, 27 February. (link to WIFT site event listing to be added here after event loaded on site)