Jafar Panahi's Offside
Jafar Panahi, 49, the Iranian director of the Venice Film Festival winner The Circle, was arrested on Monday night along with his wife and daughter and 15 house guests following a raid at his home in Teheran, according to The Times of London. Panahi had supported opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi in Iran's disputed parliamentary elections last year. The report adds that "artists from around the world yesterday called for the release of the Iranian film-maker."
“It is a very shocking development and further demonstration of the intolerance of the regime,” said British filmmaker Ken Loach, well-known for his liberal political views. “I hope all people working in films will call for his release, and speak out in solidarity for him and all Iranian film-makers working under similar conditions. It is completely unacceptable.”
Panahi had been arrested last year as well, and earlier this year he was denied permission to leave the country to attend the Berlin Film Festival. In 2006, Panahi's Offside won the Jury Grand Prix's Silver Bear in Berlin. His work has been recognized in festivals all over the world, including Cannes, Istanbul, Locarno, San Sebastian, Singapore, and Sao Paulo.
“This action by the Government does not surprise us Iranians," says Venice Silver Lion winner Shirin Neshat. "This regime has a habit of intimidating their people, their artists, so they learn to be silent.”
According to the Times, most of Panahi's films have been banned in Iran.