Jafar Panahi – Filmmaker of the World

The Berlin International Film Festival is launching a number of initiatives this year to support the convicted Iranian directors Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.

On February 17, the Berlinale Talent Campus and the World Cinema Fund are organizing a panel discussion entitled “Censored Cinema” with Iranian filmmakers and artists on censorship, and the restriction of freedom of opinion and expression in Iran. The filmmakers Rafi Pitts (The Hunter, Berlinale Competition 2010), Ali Samadi-Ahadi (The Green Wave, 2010) and Sepideh Farsi (Tehran Without Permission, 2009) as well as author and activist Mehrangiz Kar will take part in the discussion. The event will be held in the Hebbel am Ufer / HAU1 at 2:00 pm.

To draw attention to the fact that International Jury member Jafar Panahi will not be able to attend the Berlinale, the Festival will show one film by this renowned director in each of several sections. On February 11, 2011, the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, the prize-winning Berlinale film Offside (2005, Silver Bear 2006) will be shown in the Berlinale Palast at 4:30 pm. Many illustrious guests are expected who want to express their solidarity by attending the screening. Festival Director Kosslick will introduce the film.

Each of the following screenings in the Jafar Panahi film series will be introduced and presented by Iranian directors or actors:

Forum
Talaye sorkh (Crimson Gold, 2003) on February 12 in Cinestar 8 at 11:00 am
Introduction & Presentation by Rafi Pitts

Berlinale Shorts
Untying the Knot (2007) on February 12 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ayat Najafi

(Repetition of Untying the Knot on February 16 in CinemaxX 3 at 10:00 pm, on February 17 in Colosseum 1 at 5:45 pm, on February 18 in CinemaxX 5 at 4:00 pm)

Generation
Badkonak-e Sefid (The White Balloon, 1995) on February 14 in House of World Cultures (HKW) at 4:30 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Jasmin Tabatabai (actress)

Panorama
Dayereh (The Circle, 2000) on February 17 in Cinestar 3 at 5:45 pm
Introduction & Presentation by Ali Samadi Ahadi

The Dailies from Berlin on fest21.com