Iranian actress Laleh Marzban threatened after Venice speech
Laleh Marzban, winner of the Venice festival's best newcomer award, faces condemnation from Iranian authorities and state media for dedicating her prize to
Iranian actress Laleh Marzban is facing severe threats from her country's authorities and state media. Her offense was an acceptance speech at the Venice Film Festival that highlighted the plight of women in Iran.
Marzban won the best actress award in the Orizzonti competition for emerging talent last Saturday. She was recognized for her role in Mohsen Gharaei's film Falling House. The film follows three generations of women incarcerated in their home by the family's father.
Official condemnation and media attacks
On Thursday, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution issued a formal statement. This conservative-dominated government body, appointed by Iran's supreme leader, condemned Marzban's speech. It accused her of "presenting a one-sided narrative of Iran's proud society." The council stated that reducing Iranian women to "the stereotypes desired by western circles" was not in line with art's mission.
This official rebuke followed a wave of attacks in state-affiliated media. Some outlets called for the regime to discipline the actress.
Journalist Zahra Chekhmaghi, associated with Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), called Marzban a two-faced person, self-interested, hypocritical, despicable and miserable. Another IRIB-affiliated personality, actress Zhila Sadeghi, criticized Marzban for not dedicating her speech to children killed in a US missile strike in Minab on February 28.
A Qu'ran expert on state TV said the actress had been deceived by the enemy. The expert called on the government to prevent her from working in Iran. The Student News Network (SNN) urged the culture ministry to block Marzban from re-entering the country.
The speech and the film's themes
At the awards gala, Marzban dedicated her prize in Farsi. She spoke to the women of my country who have paid the highest price for even the smallest measure of freedom. She added that Iranians were experiencing difficult days but should not lose hope.
Falling House examines the collapse of traditional patriarchal family structures. It depicts men's efforts to maintain control by force. Marzban plays Ensi, a woman in her twenties who announces plans to leave Iran for a modelling career in Turkey. Her father, Rashid, locks Ensi and the other women of the household in their rooms in a desperate bid to assert authority.
A broader context of pushback
The Iranian reaction appears to mirror pushback against another film at Venice. The Guardian-produced documentary NAZA, about Israel's actions in Gaza, also faced official condemnation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would seek laws to strip citizenship from people who "smear" Israeli soldiers, targeting that film's directors.
After the premiere, Marzban was asked how Falling House would be received in Iran. This question is very important for me as an actress, and as all other women in Iran, she said. She described the effort as making one small step at a time toward a common objective. I have made my small part, Marzban stated.
