Two-time Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (Detachment, sellerHe urged international filmmakers to take a stand against “the destruction of the country’s civilian infrastructure.”
His call to action, issued on Tuesday by Iranian journalist Mansour Jahani, follows US President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy “an entire civilization” in Iran, including civilian infrastructure, if a ceasefire agreement is not reached before Tuesday night’s deadline.
“I call on artists and filmmakers everywhere in the world to be a voice in these critical days and hours, in any way possible, to stop the destructive aggression that has increasingly destroyed civilian infrastructure,” Farhadi said.
On Monday, Trump, as part of changing deadlines and threats to civilian infrastructure in Iran, threatened during a press conference to blow up bridges and power plants in that country. Hollywood Reporter I reached out to Alexandre Mallet-Guy, the French co-producer of Farhadi’s latest film, Parallel storiesHe appealed to fellow filmmakers for additional details, but received no response.
Below is Farhadi’s full statement:
I call on artists and filmmakers everywhere in the world to be a voice in these critical days and hours, in any way possible, to stop the destructive aggression that has increasingly destroyed civilian infrastructure.
Infrastructure owned by the Iranian people and related to the basic needs of their daily lives. The destruction of infrastructure is not just the destruction of buildings, but rather an assault on human life and dignity.
Attacking a country’s infrastructure is a war crime. Regardless of any beliefs or positions, let us unite to stop this inhumane, illegal and destructive process.
