Fajr festival defies cultural sanctions, hosts Turkish director Ceylan despite pressure
Attempts to push foreign filmmakers into boycotting Iran’s 43rd Fajr International Film Festival have failed to derail the event, with jury member Mehdi Karampour rejecting the idea that culture can be drawn into political sanctions.
Kermpour said artistic works must be preserved for future generations, documenting “what is happening here and now.”
Despite these pressures, celebrated Turkish filmmaker Nuri Bilge Ceylan arrived in Shiraz to lead the international jury.
Rouhollah Hosseini, festival secretary, said that threats and social media campaigns tried to block Ceylan, but the event went ahead on schedule, less than three months after Hosseini’s August appointment.
Karampour described the festival as a platform to showcase Iran’s cinema beyond political narratives. “Not having something gives us nothing. Preserving and speaking out is essential,” he said, emphasizing that cinema carries a cultural mission that surpasses politics.
The festival, revived after a four-year hiatus in its international section, has been relocated to Shiraz to emphasize the city’s literary and cultural heritage. Hosseini said this move strengthens the festival’s cultural authenticity while shielding it from political frictions often present in Tehran.
Organizers reported participation from 37 countries, with screenings, masterclasses, and panels designed to reconnect Iran’s filmmakers with the global circuit.
Hosseini and Karampour both underlined the strategic focus on “poetic cinema,” linking contemporary filmmaking to Persian literary and philosophical traditions.
Jury members include young actors and veteran filmmakers, with Ceylan’s approach described as “poetic and rigorous,” complemented by leading cinematographers and composers.
Karampour highlighted that such platforms are crucial for sustaining cultural continuity, particularly in the absence of a systematic national cultural policy.
The festival continues through December 3, aiming to preserve Iran’s cinematic heritage, foster dialogue, and maintain its global presence amid growing international pressures.