India: Kumar versus the censor

April 4th, 2013

Despite making two award-winning documentaries, filmmaker Ashvin Kumar has faced difficulty having his films shown. Mahima Kaul reports on his battle with India’s Censor Board
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A new argument for censorship?

September 17th, 2012

Anti-Islam film: Padraig Reidy asks if this time is different from previous blasphemy rows
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China: Tighter film censorship plans in place

December 15th, 2011

The Chinese government is planning to tighten its already strict film censorship rules. A proposal from the State Council, released on their website earlier today, is part of a draft law which proposes to ban anti-government sentiments and messages of religious fanaticism from the cinema screen. If passed, the bill, which comes during a box-office boom in China, will increase the number of banned subjects in Chinese cinema to 13. Another proposed ban could also prevent any film from “promoting” illegal drugs or terrorist activity.

Speaking out for Jafar Panahi

December 23rd, 2010

Index on Censorship calls on Ayatollah Sadeq Larijani, head of the judiciary in Iran, to overturn the sentences handed down this week to the film directors Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof. Jafar Panahi was sentenced this week to six years in prison for “colluding in the gathering and making of propaganda against the regime”. He is also banned from making films, writing scripts, travelling abroad and talking to the media for 20 years. Mohammad Rasoulof also received a prison sentence of six years.

In a letter to Ayatollah Larijani, Index on Censorship’s chief executive John Kampfner says:

We would like to remind you that Iran’s own constitution guarantees the right to freedom of expression, the essential condition for any artist to engage in their work and enjoy the freedom to create. We therefore ask you to guarantee this most fundamental of human rights to Mr Panahi, Mr Rasoulof and all artists, academics and journalists currently facing similar sentences.

Index on Censorship urges the Iranian government to recognise Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof as ambassadors for Iran’s creative culture, instead of treating them as criminals. “The Islamic Republic’s continuing crackdown on artists, journalists and writers can only harm the future of its people,” writes John Kampfner in his letter.

Jafar Panahi is amongst Iran’s leading film directors. His first film The White Balloon won the Camera d’Or at the Cannes film festival in 1995 and he was awarded the Golden Lion in 2000 for his film The Circle.

Speaking in support of Jafar Panahi, documentary filmmaker Kim Longinotto says:

Jafar Panahi has been an inspiration for me and my friends for many years. His poetic, sensitive and gripping films tell complex stories with well-rounded characters that he treats with great affection and respect. His films never tell us what to think, or give easy answers — they allow us to discover things for ourselves. He gives me hope for a future where men and women can truly identify with one another’s experiences.

Letter to Ayatollah Larijani

Lebanon: Festival urged not to show Iranian protest film

October 11th, 2010

State censors in Lebanon have asked Beirut International Film Festival not to show an Iranian opposition film during a visit from President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Originally scheduled for screening on 13 October, the day of Ahmadinejad’s arrival, the film “Green Days” documents violent protests in Iran following last year’s disputed elections. Director Hana Makhamalbaf is the daughter of Mohsen Makhamalbaf, who is close to opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi.

Iran: Authorities revoke director’s filming permit

September 28th, 2010

Iranian authorities have revoked the filming permit of an internationally acclaimed director over his support for dissident filmmakers. Asghar Ferhadi, who won the award for best director at the Berlin festival in 2009, called for change at a recent Iranian awards ceremony. He spoke out in favour of actress Golshifteh Farahani, and directors Jafar Panahi, who spent three months in jail, and Mohsen Makhmalbaf, who supports the opposition Green Movement. Deputy Culture Minister Javad Shamaqdari described Ferhadi’s comments as “inappropriate”. He said that the director was given a week to change his remarks.

Israel: Director to appeal banning of spy documentary

June 25th, 2010

Nir Toib, director of a banned film which exposed an espionage scandal within the Israel Defense Forces[IDF], is to appeal the documentary film’s banning at the Supreme Court. The Secret Kingdom features interviews with Brigadier General Yitzhak Yaakov, Israel’s first chief scientist and a former research and development head for the IDF, who is accused of espionage in the documentary. Toib refutes the military censor’s claims that the film divulged nuclear secrets, instead arguing that the majority of the information which was cut from the original version of the film was already within the public domain.

PAST EVENT: Georgian Film Night, 14 May

May 14th, 2010

Friday, 14th May: EPIC Short Films presents… Georgian Film Night

English PEN, Index on Censorship are proud to present EPIC SHORT FILMS at the Free Word Centre, these events explore censorship and freedom of expression in independent filmmaking.

To launch the series, we are holding a Georgian Film Night, screening for the first time in UK, five short films made by professional and citizen journalists, telling intimate and personal stories about daily life, conflict and dreams in Georgia.

The films are produced by Eyewitness Studios, part of a new media initiative the Go Group Media, set up by Margharita Akhvlediani who aims to get real life stories into Georgian TV programming that is otherwise unrepresentative, swamped by propaganda and imported viewing.

Margarita Akhvlediani, director of Go Group will lead a Q&A session after the films.

For the second part of the evening Tabuni, a London based ensemble singing Georgian folk songs and chants, lead by Tamta Turmanidze, will perform a short programme of songs, accompanied by wine and kachapuri (traditional Georgian cheese bread).

Entrance is FREE though there will be a charge for wine and kachapuri.

For more information on this event and other future EPIC Short Film nights, please visit the official website.

To book your place at the forthcoming Georgian Film Night, please email bookings@freewordonline.com or call 020 7324 2570