Juliette Binoche's Tears Heard for Jafar Panahi

Jafar Panahi was released on a $200,000 bail from Iranian authorities yesterday. Steven Spielberg, Juliette Binoche, and others petitioned for his release.

Panahi, who was invited to sit on the Cannes Palme d’Or jury this year, was a subject of frequent mention at the festival. As reported by The Telegraph, Best Actress prize winner Juliette Binoche carried a sign with his name on it during her acceptance speech, while a petition for his release attracted signatures from the likes of Stephen Spielberg, Oliver Stone and Martin Scorcese, to name but a notable few. Panahi’s seat on the jury was left empty in protest of his detainment.

TEHRAN -- An official of the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has said that Iranian auteur Abbas Kiarostami’s “Certified Copy” would not premiere in Iran due to the skimpy dress of the film’s French star Juliette Binoche.

It is easy to read between the lines here. Personally, I am moved that Cannes and Juliette Binoche would offer so much support for Panahi. It makes me want to move to France. Who knows? I just might.

CANNES, France (AFP) – France's Juliette Binoche won the Cannesbest actress prize for her role as an unhappy art dealer in Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami's film "Certified Copy".

Thanking Kiarostami as she picked up the prize, a teary-eyed Binoche said: "What you feel behind a camera that loves you is the most beautiful miracle of all."

She also held up a sign with the name of Iranian director Jafar Panahi, who is jailed in a Tehran prison.

"I hope he will be here next year," she added.

"The White Balloon" directed by Jafar Panahi

Kiorastami mentions in the Cannes Press Conference for Certified Copy that when one imprisons an artist for their art, they are also imprisoning the art itself. Here (above) is a portion of Jafar Panahi's The White Balloon - a film that continues to be an influence on my life and work.
(More on Panahi & Censorship in Iranian Cinema)