International protests helped – directors, artists still curtailed

Dissident director Mohammad Rasoulof had his passport confiscated by the Iranian government, and was unable to come to the Stockholm International Film Festival, or any other film festival, with his film, Manuscripts Don’t Burn. His passport has now been returned to him, and he has left Iran.

During the 2013 Stockholm Film Festival Mohammad Rasoulof’s Manuscripts Don’t Burn was screened. The film deals with the Iranian government’s censorship of art and film. Rasoulof was invited to visit the Stockholm, but was unable to travel abroad as he had just got his passport sequestered. Rasoulof chose not to make a statement, judging that it would only worsen his situation. Instead, he sent a portrait of himself wearing a blindfold to the Stockholm Film Festival.

Now, Mohammad Rasoulof has had his passport returned to him, and he’s left Iran to resume his work as a director and filmmaker.

– Special thanks for your helpful program, showing the international filmmakers’ complaint about my problem.

I hope I can come to Stockholm film festival by my next film, says Mohammad Rasoulof.

The Stockholm Film Festival, together with a number of Swedish and international directors and producers, among them Tarik Saleh, Kristina Åberg and Sean Gullette, protested outside the Iranian embassy, and let themselves be photographed blindfolded.

Conditions for people working with film and living in Iran have not changed. They are still being censored and kept from practicing their work. The prominent Iranian director Rakhshan Banietemad is an example of this; her work permit has been revoked. 

Press contact:

Christel Lindgren (press manager), +46 73 519 4713 or Felix Bergenholtz (press assistant), +46 72 252 1462.

E-mail: press@stockholmfilmfestival.se

The 25th Stockholm International Film Festival November 5-16 2014.

Stockholm International Film Festival started in 1990 and is today one of the leading competitive film festivals in Europe. The festival takes place every year in November with more than 180 films from more than 50 countries. More than a festival: we organize exclusive screenings and the popular Summer Cinema – an outdoor mini-festival. Every year in spring the Stockholm International Film Festival Junior brings the latest films to youngsters between 6 and 16 years of age.

WE LOVE FILM!