Freedom for Mahnaz Mohammadi

Mahnaz Mohammadi, iranian filmmaker and women's rights activist, was arrested in Tehran last Sunday June 26th, following a search of her home by law enforcement.

No information on what charges she was arrested or where she is detained is available.

Mahnaz Mohammadi's film "Femmes sans ombre" was rewarded in several countries. She contributed as well to Rakhshan Bani-Etemad's documentary "Nous sommes la moitié de la population", about the June 2009 presidential elections. In June 2010, Mahnaz Mohammadi was in Paris to present one of her films ("Travelogue") at a French Cinematheque tribute to Iranian cinema.

Because of her political activism and her positions, Mahnaz Mohammadi has been in the crosshairs of Iranian authorities for several years. She has had her work tools (computer, cameras, etc) confiscated, as well as her passport. She thus could not attend the presentation of Reza Serkanian's "Noces éphémères" as leading actress a month ago at the Cannes Film Fest.

Last May 12th in Cannes, on the occasion of the awarding of the Carrosse d'Or prize to Jafar Panahi, a debate was organized by the Film Directors' Guild (Société des réalisateurs de films) about freedom of expression. Mahnaz Mohammadi had then sent a message, read by Costa-Gavras :

"I am a woman, I am a filmmaker, two sufficient grounds to be guilty in this country. I am currently directing a new documentary about the women of my country. The struggle of woman for their identity is an essential element of their everyday life… and freedom is the word that is most missing from their daily life. I would have really liked to be among you, dear friends. Unfortunately, not being allowed out of my country, I am deprived to share this joy with you. But I am still waiting and I have hope."

We demand the release of Mahnaz Mohammadi, and are denouncing the attacks made to freedom of creation and expression of Iranians filmmakers.

Signers :
Costa Gavras, filmmaker, the French Cinematheque's President,, Gilles Jacob, Président ofInternational Film Festival, Oussama Mohammed, Jafar Panahi, Reza Serkanian, cinéaste et membre de la SRF, de la SACD et de l'ACID, Jean-Michel Frodon, Chantal Richard, Christophe Ruggia, Fabrice Genestal, Jean-Paul Salomé, Elie Chouraqui, Bertrand Blier, Jean-Michel Carré, Jacques Fansten, Marceline Loridan-Ivens, Michel Andrieu, Claude Miller, The Film Directors' Guild (Société des réalisateurs de films) filmmakers...

Please sign (follow the link : SFR) [here]