Iranian Director Sentenced to Prison for Cannes Film Festival Screening
TEHRAN, Iran—Prominent Iranian movie director Saeed Roustaee has been sentenced to six months in prison for screening his film “Leila’s Brothers” at the Cannes Film Festival last year, according to local media reports on Tuesday, August 15.
“Leila’s Brothers,” a film that tells the story of a family struggling with economic hardship in Tehran, has been banned in Iran since its release last year. Despite being in competition for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes festival, it did not win the top prize but received the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award.
Roustaee and the film’s producer, Javad Noruzbegi, were found guilty of “contributing to propaganda of the opposition against the Islamic system,” as reported by the reformist daily Etemad. According to the newspaper, the filmmakers will serve only one-twentieth of their six-month sentence, approximately nine days. The remainder will be suspended over a period of five years, and the verdict can still be appealed.
“Leila’s Brothers” was banned in Iran after it was entered into international film festivals without authorization and the director refused to make requested changes, as stated by official media at the time. During the suspension period, Roustaee and Noruzbegi will be required to take a filmmaking course while “preserving national and ethical interests” and avoiding association with other cinema professionals, according to Etemad.
Roustaee, 34, gained international recognition for his 2019 film “Just 6.5,” a powerful portrayal of Iran’s drug problem and the ineffective response by law enforcement.
Iran’s cinema industry has produced notable filmmakers such as Jafar Panahi and Asghar Farhadi, who have received awards worldwide.
