Juliette Binoche, Pedro Almodovar, and Mohammad Rasoulof have signed a petition in support of Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, facing trial over their film My Favourite Cake. The allegations include propaganda against the regime and production of obscene content. The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk has secured over 3,200 signatures demanding an end to charges against them as their trial is set to begin tomorrow.
Juliette Binoche, Pedro Almodovar, and Mohammad Rasoulof have endorsed a petition supporting filmmakers Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, who are facing trial in Iran for their film, My Favourite Cake. The trial is set to commence tomorrow, March 1, amidst serious allegations including “propaganda against the regime” and “production of obscene content.”
The film, which premiered at the Berlin festival in 2024 and received multiple awards, has drawn ire from the Iranian government due to its portrayal of women and depictions involving alcohol and dance. The filmmakers have been unable to travel internationally for two years, missing their film’s debut in Berlin due to imposed travel bans.
The International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR) has organized a petition requesting the Iranian government to lift all charges against Moghaddam and Sanaeeha. The petition has garnered over 3,200 signatures from prominent figures in the film industry, including festival directors and acclaimed directors such as Céline Sciamma and Agnieszka Holland.
My Favourite Cake tells the story of a 70-year-old woman who attempts to revitalize her life and seeks love after years of solitude. The film has been sold to over 40 territories and was released in the UK and Ireland by Curzon last September. Their trial is a reflection of ongoing censorship and repression against artists and filmmakers in Iran, raising concerns over artistic freedom.
As stated in the ICFR letter, the undersigned call for the Iranian authorities to immediately clear all charges against Moghaddam and Sanaeeha. They emphasize the filmmakers’ right to express themselves freely as artists, urging support for their creative endeavors.
Prominent filmmakers such as Juliette Binoche and Pedro Almodovar have signed a petition to support Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, who face allegations related to their film, My Favourite Cake. The film’s depiction of social issues has sparked controversy in Iran, leading to travel bans and a forthcoming trial. The call for the charges to be dropped highlights the ongoing struggle for artistic expression and freedom of speech in oppressive regimes.
Original Source: www.screendaily.com
