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 Berlinale - Berlin International Film Festival
Feb 10-20, 2011, Berlin, Germany |
Berlinale 2011: Solidarity with convicted Iranian film director Jafar Panahi |
In support of the convicted Iranian director Jafar Panahi, the Berlin International Film Festival is launching a number of initiatives at the upcoming Berlinale.
In his films, Jafar Panahi critically explores the social situation in his homeland. His conviction violates the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the arts.
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Jafar Panahi |
In 2011 the Berlinale will show several films by Jafar Panahi in a number of its sections and so draw attention to the extraordinary oeuvre for which this artist has been sentenced by the Iranian regime. The first of his films to be screened at this year’s Berlinale will be the award-winning film Offside (2006, Silver Bear) on February 11 at 4:30 pm in the Berlinale Palast.
On the following days of the Berlinale, other Panahi films will be presented in the Panorama, Forum, Generation and Berlinale Shorts sections.
For February 17, 2011 the Berlinale Talent Campus and the World Cinema Fund are organizing a panel discussion with Iranian filmmakers and artists on censorship, and the restriction of freedom of opinion and expression in Iran. Iranian director and actor Rafi Pitts (The Hunter, Berlinale Competition 2010) has already confirmed his attendance. The participation of other filmmakers and artists living in exile as well as of prominent Berlinale guests will be announced soon. The event will take place at the Hebbel am Ufer / HAU1 at 2:00 pm.
Festival Director Dieter Kosslick states: “We invited Jafar Panahi to be on the International Jury in 2011. But then in December 2010 he was sentenced to six years imprisonment and banned from filmmaking for the next 20 years. We are going to use every opportunity to protest against this drastic verdict.” |
Berlinale organizes panel discussion “Censored Cinema” drawing attention to Jafar Panahi – Filmmaker of the World |
As recently announced, the Berlin International Film Festival is launching a number of initiatives this year to support the convicted Iranian directors Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
On February 17, the Berlinale Talent Campus and the World Cinema Fund are organizing a panel discussion entitled “Censored Cinema” with Iranian filmmakers and artists on censorship, and the restriction of freedom of opinion and expression in Iran. The filmmakers Rafi Pitts (The Hunter, Berlinale Competition 2010), Ali Samadi-Ahadi (The Green Wave, 2010) and Sepideh Farsi (Tehran Without Permission, 2009) as well as author and activist Mehrangiz Kar will take part in the discussion. The event will be held in the Hebbel am Ufer / HAU1 at 2:00 pm.
To draw attention to the fact that International Jury member Jafar Panahi will not be able to attend the Berlinale, the Festival will show one film by this renowned director in each of several sections.
On February 11, 2011, the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, the prize-winning Berlinale film Offside (2005, Silver Bear 2006) will be shown in the Berlinale Palast at 4:30 pm. Many illustrious guests are expected who want to express their solidarity by attending the screening. Festival Director Kosslick will introduce the film.
Each of the following screenings in the Jafar Panahi film series will be introduced and presented by Iranian directors or actors:
Forum
Talaye sorkh (Crimson Gold, 2003) on February 12 in Cinestar 8 at 11:00 am
Introduction & Presentation by Rafi Pitts
Berlinale Shorts
Untying the Knot (2007) on February 12 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ayat Najafi
(Repetition of Untying the Knot on February 16 in CinemaxX 3 at 10:00 pm, on February 17 in Colosseum 1 at 5:45 pm, on February 18 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm)
Generation
Badkonak-e Sefid (The White Balloon, 1995) on February 14 in House of World Cultures (HKW) at 4:30 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Jasmin Tabatabai (actress)
Panorama
Dayereh (The Circle, 2000) on February 17 in Cinestar 3 at 5:45 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ali Samadi Ahadi |
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