Risking imprisonment, Palme d'Or winner returns home
An Iranian filmmaker has been cheered at home after winning Cannes Film Festival's top prize.Jafar Panahi touched down in Tehran's international airport on Monday, two days after his Palme d'Or victory for revenge thriller It Was Just Accident. Panahi has been imprisoned multiple times in Iran, most recently for protesting the detention of filmmakers criticising the authorities. This was his first visit to Cannes in 15 years, where his films have been shown in his absence due to a travel ban. His winning film depicted torture in Iranian jails and ignited a back-and-forth between French and Iranian officials.
The celebrated director, who now holds prizes from Europe's three major film festivals, was seen grinning and holding a bouquet of flowers as he embraced his friends.Among the crowd was fellow Iranian film director Medhi Nadari, who shared footage of the moment on Instagram calling Panahi's return "history-making".One person was heard shouting "woman, life, freedom" as Panahi passed through the airport, according to the Agence France-Presse news agency. The phrase was the slogan for protests that broke out across Iran following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022.In his acceptance speech at Cannes, Panahi said, "What's most important now is our country and the freedom of our country," and called for Iranians to "join forces". "No-one should dare tell us what kind of clothes we should wear, what we should do, or what we should not do," he said. The film's win has given rise to a diplomatic row between French and Iranian officials, after French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot dubbed it "a gesture of resistance against the Iranian regime's oppression" in a post on X.IRNA, Iran's state media, reported that a French diplomat had been summoned in Tehran so that it could formally protest the comments as "insulting and unfounded".Returning to Tehran fulfils a pledge Panahi made while speaking to reporters in Cannes."As soon as I finish my work here I will go back," he said, adding "I will ask myself what's my next film going to be."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Dawn French sorry for 'one-sided' Gaza war video
Dawn French has taken down a video she posted on Instagram about the war in Gaza, saying she apologised "unreservedly" for video sparked a backlash, with critics accusing the actress and comedian of appearing to "mock" the 7 October 2023 Saturday, French acknowledged on Instagram that the video "appeared one-sided", and said she never meant to "mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror" of that day."I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but I clearly have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video," she added. In the 40-second video, posted earlier this week, the Vicar of Dibley star shared her views on the ongoing war, saying: "Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no."Adapting her tone, she went on to say: "Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us, yeah but no. But we want that land... and we have history… No. Those people aren't really even people, are they really? No."On social media, people were quick to criticise her, with actress Tracy-Ann Oberman saying she was "so saddened" by the post."This mocking voice 'bad thing' of October 7 that Dawn (who I revere by the way) appears [to] be mocking involved the most horrific terrorist attack involving rape, sexual violence, burning alive, child mutilation and taking of civilian hostages," she wrote."Why would Dawn seem to deny that which has affected so many of us personally in the most painful way possible."MP Rosie Duffield commented on Oberman's post, writing: "One can, and should hate what is happening in Gaza and also condemn the hideous events of October 7th."It is agonising to see events unfold, and requires extremely careful, measured and well-considered comments and actions. This is not that."Meanwhile, screenwriter and activist Lee Kern called her video "sneering mockery".Responding to the backlash, French said that she had posted a video in the style that she has been using for social media "in an effort to convey an important point".She added that she had "clumsily used a mocking tone"."My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal unthinkable, unforgiveable, savage attack," she said her intention had been "to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on all sides of this atrocious war"."THEY were my target, but clearly I failed to do that, and that's on me. I apologise unreservedly, and I'm particularly sorry that my disgust at Hamas didn't figure. It appeared one-sided and that is wrong."Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led cross-border attack almost 20 months ago, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken 54 of those captured during the attack remain in captivity, including 31 the Israeli military says are least 54,607 people have been killed in Gaza since then, including 4,335 since Israel resumed its offensive on 18 March, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Telegraph
Dawn French apologises for ‘Oct 7 attacks' video
Dawn French has apologised 'unreservedly' after she posted a 'one-sided' video in which she appeared to dismiss the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7. The 67-year-old comedian and actress was accused of belittling the attacks in a clip she put on social media in which she claimed the murder of 1,200 people was 'a bad thing'. In the video, posted on X on May 5, she mimics apparent defences of Israel's huge military campaign in Gaza. She was accused of appearing to belittle the Hamas-led murders of 1,200 people and adopting a 'mocking' tone. On Saturday, she removed that video and issued an apology, adding that she was 'sorry' her 'disgust at Hamas didn't figure'. The message, also on X, says: 'Ok, it's important to address this. I posted a video in the style I've been using for social media in an effort to convey an important point. I clumsily used a mocking tone. 'My intention was NEVER to mock, or dismiss, or diminish the horror of what happened on 7 October 2023 and what continues to unfold from that brutal, unthinkable, unforgivable, savage attack.' She said her 'heart broke' for the innocent people 'killed, tortured, r@aped [sic] and kidnapped', adding that it was 'appalling' that hostages were still being held. She insisted that her 'intention was to mock and point the finger of shame at the behaviour of the cruel leaders on ALL sides of this attricious [sic] war, who have continued to behave like the worst, dangerous, sickening bullies and seem to relish the tyrannical and childish one-upmanship of violence.' She added she was 'feeling increasingly helpless and hopeless as we witness the carnage and destruction worsen', adding how she was 'haunted … day and night ' by 'images of starving children.' The Vicar of Dibley actress wrote: 'History has taught us never to stand by and allow this kind of inhumane violence to be wrought on anyone, especially innocent children. 'I have felt my silence is complicit or even somehow sanctioning. So in my small way, I wanted to voice my desire to say NO - to both sides - to any further violence. 'I hope you will understand my intention was not to offend, but clearly I have. For which I am sorry and I have removed the video.' She was accused of adopting a baby-like face in the original 40-second video. She filmed herself saying: 'Complicated, no, but nuanced. But [the] bottom line is no.' She went on: ''Yeah, but you know they did a bad thing to us'... Yeah, but no. ''But we want that land and there's a lot of history…'. No. 'These people are not even people, are they really?' No.' The video was viewed more than half a million times in the 24 hours after it was posted. Tracy-Ann Oberman, an actress who has appeared in numerous West End shows, accused the comedian of adopting a 'mocking' tone. Comedy writer and self-described 'champion of Jewish rights' Lee Kern wrote: 'What you sneeringly mock as a 'bad thing' included the grieving children I met in hospital whose friends and family had been murdered, kidnapped and raped and who themselves were coming to terms with their own life-altering injuries. 'It also includes the 1,200 people murdered and tortured on October 7th… you proactively broadcast – with misplaced pride – a wicked glee in your mockery and dismissal of Jewish suffering, pain and death.' Israel began its ground offensive in Gaza in response to Hamas's terrorist attack, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. There are now 56 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Israel was criticised by Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, for its recent 'appalling' military action, describing the conduct of Benjamin Netanyahu's government as 'intolerable' following claims that more than 50,000 people, including many women and children, had been killed by Israeli forces.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- BBC News
Cal: Helen Mirren Troubles film remastered 40 years after release
When Bernard MacLaverty's Cal was adapted for screen in 1984, it received widespread praise and even earned Helen Mirren her first major award, and briefly made Belfast's Queen's Film Theatre one of the highest grossing cinemas in the UK. However, over the ensuing 40 years, the film had become lost, the only remaining version a poor quality 35mm that left the author "ashamed". Now, the film has been remastered, and was shown again in Belfast on Friday. Cal, which was adapted from the novel of the same name by Bernard MacLaverty, depicts a young Catholic man, Cal, in 1970s Northern Ireland. Cal is a member of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, and is involved in the killing of a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. He later falls in love with the victim's widow, who is unaware of Cal's involvement in her late husband's death. Helen Mirren, who stars as the widow Marcella, won an award for Best Actress at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival. She was the first British performer to win the award in 12 film was also nominated for the Palme d'Or, as well as two the time, the Financial Times' Nigel Andrews wrote that "Cal is the most moving and convincing portrait of life in Northern Ireland the cinema has yet given us". Cal will be screened at the Queen's Film Theatre at 6.30pm on the 6th of June. Bernard MacLaverty, who wrote the original novel, as well as the screenplay for Cal, said it has been years since he has seen the film."The last time I saw it was in Glasgow University and I was so disappointed in [the condition of] it and ashamed of it that I said I would never talk about it in public again."It was in a bad state."Mr MacLaverty said it is "exciting" that the film has now been remastered, and expects the story to retain its appeal with modern audiences. "I think the storyline is one that is universal."It's a love story. One would hope that love hasn't exited from our lives."But he feels there is some risk to the film becoming available again."Maybe it will be badly written. It may date, and I'll be the one to blame."When Cal was first screened in 1984 at the Belfast Festival, it was successful enough to warrant a further run 42 consecutive sell-out showings. Such success meant that, during the initial two weeks of screenings, the QFT became the second-highest grossing cinema in the UK outside of London. Hugh-Olding Smee, Manager of Film Hub NI, said the idea to remaster 'Cal' originated when Queen's Film Theatre (QFT) was celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2018. "Cal is a very important film to the QFT. It was really the first kind of Irish premiere that broke through, and it was very successful at the QFT when it came out."It's a very emotional film about a particular time in our history."Mr Smee said he believes the re-release of Cal is important for young filmmakers in Northern Ireland, and described the film as an "important cultural touchstone"."People have seen it the odd time down the years, but the lion's share of people haven't seen it since it came out", he said. However, Mr Smee had no doubt that the film will continue to appeal to today's audiences."MacLaverty has a gift for creating stories that are individual but universal at the same time. "It was an important story then, and it's an important story now."Mr Smee also noted the film's relevance in the context of various conflicts that continue to take place around the world, and said that art can be useful in helping people deal with traumatic situations. "Films are empathy machines. Empathy is how things get healed."
