The red carpet at the Berlinale International Film Festival became a stage for protests on Saturday as Iranian film professionals, joined by jury president Kristen Stewart, protested against the brutality of Iran’s regime and demanded the release of imprisoned journalists and a hip-hop artist.
Extraction actress Golshifteh Farahani, also a member of the jury, The Siren director Sepideh Farsi, and Holy Spider actress Zar Amir Ebrahimi were among several Iranian filmmakers and talents participating in the protests. Festival co-heads Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek also took part in the rally.
The protesters unveiled a banner reading “Women, Life, Freedom!” as they urged the Iranian government to release Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi. The two journalists were imprisoned on charges of “conspiring against national security”, after being the first to report the death of Mahsa Amini, an activist who died in police custody — having been arrested for not properly wearing a head veil.
Protesters also chanted in support of rapper Toomaj Salehi, who could face the death penalty over accusations by the Iranian government of spreading propaganda.
The rally took place following a panel titled The Role of Cinema and the Arts in the Iranian Revolution. Panellists included Ebrahimi and Farsi, who expressed hope that the protests spreading across the country could help inspire change.
“This regime lies,” Farhani said in her opening speech as quoted by Variety. “The prisons of Iran are full of innocent people. We need you to stand on the right side of history with the Iranian people. This regime will fall.”
“The wall of dictatorship is a thick wall … the revolution in South Africa took 800 days, ours has been just five months,” she added. “This wall is one of oppression, attacking human rights. We need all of you. We need Germany, France, Europe. We need you to stand on the right side and to acknowledge it. Call it a revolution.”
Speaking to Variety about her film The Siren, Farsi said: “The end of the film has hope, and I really, really would like them [Iranians] to feel it as a glow of sun for the near future of Iran, because I’m really hoping that we will reach that victory soon.”
The Berlinale International Film Festival is the largest public film festival of its kind in the world and is known to serve as a platform for filmmakers and activists calling out against injustice. In her opening speech, Stewart underscored this, saying: “This festival in particular, historically, is in a positive way confrontational and political.”
Protests in Iran continue - in pictures
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Iranians protest in Tehran after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was detained by the morality police in September. AP Photo -
Protests have intensified despite a vicious government crackdown that has left as many as 200 people dead, although estimates of the toll by rights groups vary. AP Photo -
At least eight members of the security forces have also been killed or wounded during the unrest and there are signs that violent resistance could be intensifying. AP Photo -
A fire burns at the office of the governor of Mahabad, in the West Azerbaijan province of Iran. AFP -
Protesters gather in the a courtyard of Chitgar complex in western Tehran. AFP -
Iranian protesters continue to defy a deadly crackdown by security forces. AFP -
A woman cuts her hair at the grave site of Nika Shahkarami in the city of Khorramabad, during a reported memorial held to mark 40 days since the death of the 16-year-old. AFP -
A woman not wearing a headscarf stands on top of a vehicle as thousands make their way towards Saqez, Mahsa Amini's home town, to mark 40 days since her death in police custody. AFP -
Iranian riot police prepare to confront protesters the capital, Tehran. AFP -
Iranian protesters surge forward amid clashes with riot police in Tehran. AFP -
A crowd blocks an intersection during a protest to mark 40 days since Amini's death in custody. AP Photo -
Iranian police arrive to disperse a protest in Tehran. AP Photo -
Protesters chant at a vigil for Amini at the Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology in Tehran. Reuters -
Students at Sharif University of Technology attend a protest. AP Photo -
Police outside Sharif University during a student protest. AP Photo -
Students at the university protest over the death of Amini, who was in 'morality police' custody for allegedly breaking strict rules on head coverings for women. AP Photo -
The students' banner says: 'No to mandatory hijab'. AP Photo
