Photo: Sylvain Lefevre/Hans Lucas/AFP
Eurasia
24/05/2025 20:30
Panahi was banned from filmmaking for 20 years in 2009 after protesting the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, accused of producing “anti-regime propaganda.” Despite the ban, he continued to work in secret and, for the first time, was able to attend the international premiere of one of his films.
The film features several female characters without headscarves—an act considered anti-regime propaganda under Iranian law. At the red carpet event before the Cannes premiere, the actresses also chose not to wear hijabs.
The award was presented by Cate Blanchett to the 64-year-old director, marking his first public appearance at a film screening in fifteen years. In his acceptance speech, Panahi called on his fellow Iranians to set aside their differences and focus on the cause of freedom in their country.
Panahi had previously won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival for Taxi Tehran, and received recognition at Cannes for the screenplay of Three Women.
