Turkish director Nuri Bilge Ceylan is drawing criticism from Iranian filmmakers for his reported involvement in Iran's state-sponsored Fajr Film Festival. The event, running in Shiraz from November 26 to December 3, has sparked concerns about legitimizing government censorship. The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association has urged him to withdraw.
Background on the Controversy
Nuri Bilge Ceylan, the acclaimed Turkish filmmaker known for winning the Cannes Palme d'Or with 'Winter Sleep' in 2014, has been accused of aligning with Iran's repressive regime through his participation in the Fajr Film Festival. Reports from Iranian and Turkish media outlets indicate he will serve as jury president, while the festival's website lists him as a special guest. This comes after he conducted masterclasses in Tehran in October at a government-backed cinema event.
Details of the Fajr Film Festival
The annual Fajr Film Festival, Iran's premier cinematic gathering, is organized by the government and scheduled for Shiraz. It will feature 45 films from 30 countries. Critics, however, view it as a tool for state propaganda amid ongoing political tensions.
Criticism from Iranian Filmmakers
The Iranian Independent Filmmakers Association (IIFMA), led by exiled producer Kaveh Farnam, issued an open letter on Tuesday expressing shock at Ceylan's decision. 'The news of your collaboration with the Fajr Film Festival in Iran under the rule of the Islamic Republic has caused astonishment and distress,' the letter stated. It highlighted the festival's role in normalizing suppression following the 2022-2023 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests, where security forces killed numerous demonstrators.
IIFMA argued that Ceylan's presence would bolster the government's image, ignoring the realities of censorship and imprisonment faced by directors like Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof. 'Your participation effectively strengthens the images the government seeks to present,' the group wrote, calling it a 'misuse of your prestige for this propaganda display.'
Ceylan has not yet responded to requests for comment. His filmography includes notable works such as 'Three Monkeys' (2008), 'Once Upon a Time in Anatolia' (2011), 'The Wild Pear Tree' (2018), and 'About Dry Grasses' (2023), which often explore humanistic themes.