Just before Christmas, the film director Jafar Panahi was sent to prison in Iran for 6 years. He was also banned from making films for 20 years, and prevented from travelling, giving interviews or political activity. He was accused of speaking against the political clampdown last year.
I have seen two of his films. The White Balloon was the story of a young girl who drops some money down a drain and her attempts to retrieve it back. It is a very simple story but has a sense of realism and humanity that is magical.
Offside is about a girl who goes to watch a football match between Iran and Bahrain. If Iran wins they would qualify for the World Cup. But females are not permitted to watch football matches with males. As with The White Balloon, there is a sense of realism that makes it very watchable.
Jafar Panahi's films are not overtly political but reflect the reality of life in Iran. It is an outrage that he is in prison and it is a total breach of human rights and a repression of free speech.
Please sign this petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/peti...darite-jafar-panahi/
I have seen two of his films. The White Balloon was the story of a young girl who drops some money down a drain and her attempts to retrieve it back. It is a very simple story but has a sense of realism and humanity that is magical.
Offside is about a girl who goes to watch a football match between Iran and Bahrain. If Iran wins they would qualify for the World Cup. But females are not permitted to watch football matches with males. As with The White Balloon, there is a sense of realism that makes it very watchable.
Jafar Panahi's films are not overtly political but reflect the reality of life in Iran. It is an outrage that he is in prison and it is a total breach of human rights and a repression of free speech.
Please sign this petition.
http://www.ipetitions.com/peti...darite-jafar-panahi/
