Human Rights Watch reported this week that Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was arrested at his home on Monday, March 1st, together with his wife, daughter and 15 dinner guests who are fellow filmmakers and actors.
Fellow FPA blogger Neshani Jani writes about it in her Middle East Media blog.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/HUO5sl_cqPw" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]“Panahi is known as one of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, winning the Camera d’Or award at the Cannes film festival in 1995 for his debut feature ‘The White Balloon’ and the Golden Lion prize at Venice for his 2000 drama ‘The Circle,'” she writes. “His other well known films include ‘Crimson Gold’ and ‘Offside.’ He is also a vocal supporter of the Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and has long been regarded as a threat by the current Iranian administration.
“The arrest and subsequent detention of Mr. Panahi raises a number of concerns for both the arts and the human rights world,” Jani continues. “By targeting high profile artists such as Jafar Pahani, the current Iranian administration is making a strong statement regarding the limitations on who they will arrest: Mr. Panahi’s detention sends a message to ordinary Iranians that criticism of the government is not taken lightly – anyone is subject to scrutiny, arrest and detention.”
Find Jani’s full blog entry here.
Murphy can be reached at: [email protected]
