Iranian actress Laleh Marzban has faced criticism from authorities and state-affiliated media after highlighting the struggles of women in Iran during her acceptance speech at the Venice Film Festival, writes The Guardian.
Marzban won the Best Actress award in the Orizzonti competition for Mohsen Gharaei’s ‘Falling House’, which follows three generations of women confined to their home by a patriarchal family structure.
Accepting the award, Marzban dedicated it to “the women of my country who have paid the highest price for even the smallest measure of freedom”. She also said Iranians were going through some of the most difficult days of their lives but urged them not to lose hope.
The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution later criticised her remarks as presenting “a one-sided narrative of Iran’s proud society”. State-affiliated media also called for action against the actress.
An IRIB journalist described Marzban as “two-faced” and “hypocritical”, while another broadcaster criticised her for not dedicating her speech to children killed in a US missile strike on an elementary school in Minab in February.
On state television, a Quran expert said Marzban had been “deceived by the enemy” and urged authorities to prevent her from working in Iran. Another state-linked outlet called on the culture ministry to prevent her return.
In ‘Falling House’, Marzban plays Ensi, a young woman who wants to leave Iran and pursue a modelling career in Turkey. Her father locks her and other women in the house in an attempt to maintain control.
After the film’s Venice premiere, Marzban said women in Iran could only take “one step at a time” towards their goals. “I have made my small part. I have given my contribution,” she said.
