We are trapped between pain and hope: An Iranian filmmaker's voice, against war and dictatorship

Indian Express

6 hours ago

Written by Mohsen Makhmalbaf
As an Iranian filmmaker, I have always tried to be a voice for peace. In my films, I have expressed my firm opposition to war. Wars come to an end, but the innocent children who were killed will never return to life. They will never have the chance to participate in the celebration of peace.
But war is not the only enemy of freedom. I always stood against dictatorship as strongly as I opposed war. The freedom of human beings — regardless of geography, religion, or ethnicity—has always been a central concern for me as an artist.
Unfortunately, the people of Iran today are living under the crushing weight of two simultaneous pressures: On one hand, the escalating threat of war between Israel and Iran; on the other, the ongoing, systematic repression by the Islamic Republic's authoritarian regime. This situation has placed the Iranian people in a difficult and deeply complex position.
Many Iranians fear that a war would bring massive destruction to their country and result in the death of countless innocent civilians. Yet, at the same time, a part of society — despite their anxiety — holds a fragile hope that this crisis might finally lead to the downfall of a regime that has, for more than 40 years, stripped people of their fundamental freedom, especially women, and dragged Iran into isolation and ongoing global conflict.
Amid all of this, another serious concern weighs heavily on our minds: If this regime collapses, who will replace it? The Iranian people want change, but not just any change. They do not want to see one dictator fall only to be replaced by another — this time one aligned with Israel or the United States. What the people demand is not merely the end of the current tyranny, but the beginning of democracy, justice, and national sovereignty.
Iranian society is diverse, with a wide range of political ideologies, ethnicities, and religious backgrounds. What people truly desire is a democratic system where political parties can compete freely and power can be transferred peacefully, so that revolutions are no longer the only means of political change.
At this critical historical moment, it is vital for the world to hear the true voice of the Iranian people — a voice that, despite the flames of war and the weight of repression, continues to speak with hope and in defence of peace, freedom, and human dignity. It is the responsibility of artists, intellectuals, and the international media to amplify that voice before it is silenced forever.
Over four decades of religious rule in Iran have led society to a clear conclusion: A theocratic government serves neither democracy nor the interests of truly devout believers. As a result, the majority of Iranian society today seeks a secular, non-religious form of government. At the same time, all believers should be free to practice their religious rituals without interference
Historically, governments in Iran have violated human rights, with high rates of executions and torture. Today, Iranian society is united in demanding not only democracy but also the full implementation of human rights
Women have played a central role in Iran's political and social movements. In the struggle against compulsory hijab laws, they have shown remarkable courage — even in the face of torture and execution — forcing the regime to retreat. In the coming days, women must enjoy full equality in all spheres of life, alongside men.
Iran is a society with a highly educated population, one that deserves a better system of governance. The laws of a thousand years ago can no longer address the needs of a modern people.
Our culture is rooted in tolerance, friendship, peace, and poetry. The future government of Iran must pursue mutual cooperation and peaceful relations with the international community, unlike the current regime, which has promoted hostility, including threats to Israel and the export of terrorism.
The recent Israeli attacks have created a complex emotional response among Iranians. On the one hand, they fear the devastation of war. On the other hand, many also hopIse that this conflict might finally bring an end to the Islamic dictatorship.
The writer is an Iranian filmmaker and writer