SaEed Roustaee has revealed that he wonders where will be arrested on his return to his native Iran following the premiere of the female-focused drama Mother and Child in Competition in Cannes This Week.
“The Last Time I Went Back, My Passport Was Confiscated. I HOPE I’ll be ABLE to go back safely.
Roustaee Fell Foul of Iran’s Islamic Regime Authorities in 2023, AFTER he Screened His Last Film Leila’s Brothers in cannes with their permission. As well as being slapped with a travel ban, he was sentting to six-month prison sentiment and a five -ear shooting, whic were commuted on appeal.
Roustaee has returned to the festival with the Legal Permites in Place, and a film Shot in adheren with the regime’s stipulation that women must appears on Screen with a hijab head covering, regardless of where in a public place or private setting.
This Move That Has Drawn Criticism From Parts of the Iranian Filmmaking Community in the Light of the Women Life Freedom Movement Calling for Democracy for Women in Iran, and Roustaee Faced Tugh Questions at Friday’s Press Conference, With Journist Asking Him If self-censoring.
Roustaee replied his storytelling followed in a tradition of other Iranian directors who have souht to make social films over the last 45 years, implying the event of the Islamic Republic in 1979.
“I don’t know, whereer i am self-censoring myself. I’m 35 years old. I’ve live in iran for 35 years. Iranian film makers.
“I don’t know to what exactly i indulge in self-censorship, but i want my films in iran, and i would like to be able to go to see my movie in iran. SO, no dubt i’m about Certain Things to me.”
Quizzed About the Harsh Vision of the Iranian Society that His Film Depicts, With a Glimmer of Hope at the End, Roustaee Said: “IF MY FILLS ARE BITTER, THAT REFLECTS Iranian Society, if Iranian Society WELL and HAPPY, THEN I WOULD MAKE A PORTRE.”
