You’re on trial in Iran for making My Favorite Cake. You had been in courtroom this morning. What occurred?
Behtash Sanaeeha: We had been presupposed to be in courtroom. However there may be very excessive air air pollution in Tehran at present, so the federal government closed all public buildings.
What are you charged with?
BS: We’ve got three costs towards us. One is propaganda towards the regime, one other is breaking Islamic guidelines by making a vulgar film. And the third is spreading prostitution and libertinism. It’s ridiculous.
That’s ridiculous! Individuals have been falling in love together with your movie. However the penalties have been life-changing for you. How would you describe 2024?
Maryam Moghaddam: Such as you say, it has been actually bittersweet. Individuals actually appreciated the movie and supported it in all places on the earth. In order that was nice for us. It feels prefer it was value all of the difficulties, as a result of we took a step in direction of what we wish to do in cinema in Iran, we crossed the purple strains. It feels for the primary time that we’ve made a movie in Iran which is actual.
Within the movie you present a girl consuming alcohol, dancing, and never carrying a headband in her house. Are these the purple strains you’re speaking about?
MM: Sure. After the revolution, ladies have been pressured to have a double life. We’re the identical as we had been earlier than the revolution. Regular folks dancing and singing. Outdoors we’re pressured to be one other particular person, to faux that we’re very spiritual, put on the hijab. And it’s been forbidden to indicate this in films. In 45 years, all of the movies you might have seen present ladies within the necessary hijab, even at house. Which is simply not true.
You’ve been praised to your bravery in defying the authorities to launch the movie.
MM: It’s good to listen to. We haven’t felt it as a result of now we have been sitting on our couch. We’ve learn the articles, the critics, and it’s been nice to know that there are numerous optimistic ideas about what we’ve carried out. We’re very blissful and proud.
You might be caught in your couch due to bail restrictions. What are they?
BS: We’re not allowed to make films, to work, and there’s a journey ban.
There’s a scene within the movie through which the “morality police” cease a younger lady for not carrying her hijab correctly. In September 2022 whilst you had been filming, Mahsa Amini was killed after being arrested for a similar crime. That will need to have been a shock?
BS: Sure, we didn’t even know if we should always proceed capturing or not. However all of the crew determined collectively, we believed that it was our responsibility to complete the movie. We knew that there could be penalties for all of us. However any film-maker must be along with his or her society. We’ve got a vital motion in our nation now, the ladies’s motion, and now we have to be a part of it.
MM: You can’t be a part of a giant lie and count on these systematic large lies to vary. You should take a step again from the lies. Many individuals in Iran are doing that now.
Have you considered leaving Iran?
MM: It’s one thing you concentrate on on the toughest days, as a result of if you happen to left possibly life will probably be simpler? However this is sort of a struggle, and on the entrance in any struggle, if you happen to depart your facet, you lose. It’s a must to be there and struggle.
What stage is the trial at?
BS: Interrogation classes in courtroom, which is contained in the well-known jail in Iran known as Evin. In a few weeks, the case will probably be despatched to the principle revolutionary courtroom.
Interrogations. That sound terrifying
BS: It’s combined really. It’s terrifying but additionally feels unhappy and disappointing. They assume that now we have made a vulgar film. You may see the distinction in pondering.
MM: However they’re simply 10%. Most individuals are like us, not like them. However they get to determine for us. They modified our world. Generally you are feeling, not as a film-maker however as an individual, any particular person in Iran, you are feeling helpless. However there may be at all times hope. And that’s why we wish to keep right here and make films. As a result of there may be hope to make change.
What good issues have occurred this yr?
MM: One of many largest highlights was our movie getting lots of consideration and love from folks all around the globe. That’s heartwarming. It’s the nicest factor that occurred this yr.
BS: One of many happiest issues is our life. Residing collectively and having one another, as a result of it’s not simple to remain and struggle on this method alone. The most effective a part of our life is having one another, combating collectively and persevering with collectively.
What are your hopes for 2025?
MM: Can we are saying freedom for everybody on the earth? Freedom is an efficient factor to want for.
Supply hyperlink
