Juliette Binoche, Pedro Almodovar, and Mohammad Rasoulof have signed a petition supporting filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, whose trial begins in Iran. They face allegations for their film My Favourite Cake, which has won prestigious awards. The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk has called for the immediate dropping of the charges and has received significant support from the film industry.
Juliette Binoche, Pedro Almodovar, and Mohammad Rasoulof are prominent signatories of a petition advocating for filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, whose trial commences in Iran on March 1. Both filmmakers face serious allegations concerning their work, My Favourite Cake, which premiered at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024 and won the Fipresci and Ecumenical jury prizes. These allegations include “propaganda against the regime” and “offending public decency and morality.”
The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) has initiated a petition urging the Iranian government to drop all charges against Moghaddam and Sanaeeha and to restore their freedom. At the time of this report, the petition had garnered over 3,200 signatures from various notable figures, including directors Céline Sciamma and Agnieszka Holland, as well as film festival heads such as Venice’s Alberto Barbera and Berlin’s Tricia Tuttle.
My Favourite Cake is a tragicomedy that depicts a 70-year-old woman attempting to rejuvenate her love life, which has received critical acclaim. However, the film has been met with backlash in Iran due to its portrayal of a woman not wearing a hijab and scenes of alcohol consumption and dancing. The filmmakers have experienced travel bans imposed by the Iranian government, preventing their attendance at key events, including the film’s Berlin premiere.
France’s Totem Films has successfully sold My Favourite Cake to over 40 territories, with production support from companies across multiple countries. The film was released in the UK and Ireland by Curzon in September of the previous year. The situation for Moghaddam and Sanaeeha raises serious concerns regarding artistic freedom and expression in Iran, particularly in light of their upcoming appearance in Iran’s Revolutionary Court.
The petition in favor of filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha highlights the ongoing threats to artistic freedom in Iran. Major figures from the film industry have rallied to support the duo, who face serious allegations for their critically acclaimed film My Favourite Cake. As their trial approaches, the global attention underscores the importance of protecting the rights of artists to create and express without fear of persecution.
Original Source: www.screendaily.com
