Iran Blackout: Shutting Down the Movies

Amidst developments in the detention of acclaimed director Jafar Panahi, imprisoned in part because of reported plans to make a film touching on post-election events (see Friday and Saturday updates), comes this breaking movie news:

An official of the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has warned Iranian cineastes about unauthorized cooperation in foreign productions.



“Iranian cineastes must obtain the approval of the Culture Ministry before their cooperation in foreign productions, otherwise it will have a negative impact on the future of their career,” Culture Ministry’s Supervision and Evaluation Office (SEO) director Alireza Sajjadpur told the Persian service of the Fars News Agency on Saturday.

Sajjadpur's remarks follows reports that Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani will work with Paris-based Iranian graphic novelist Marjane Satrapi on “Chicken with Plums”. The movie is a follow-up to the animated film of Satrapi's “Persepolis”.


Farahani left Iran in 2008 after her appearance in Ridley Scott’s “Body of Lies” alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe. Although Iranian cultural officials say she can return home, Farahani continues to live in Paris.

Last week, Sajjadpur said Iranian filmmakers must obtain a license for foreign premieres of their films from the Culture Ministry.