Freedom-seeking cinema and cinematographers should be the voice of the oppressed people of the world and the helpless people of Gaza and Palestine, said the head of the Iranian Organization of Cinema and Audiovisual Affairs Mohammad Khazaee on Saturday (February 9, 2024).
Speaking at a banquet held in honor of foreign guests on Friday, Khazaee asserted that cinema has yet to fulfill its debt to the oppressed people of Palestine.
When a part of the hegemony has used the magic of cinema for decades to distort the facts of the history of Palestine, conscientious filmmakers bear a weightier responsibility; they must defend the vulnerable media frenzy and convey unspoken truth through their art, he said.
He also said that they are supposed to defend the helpless and vulnerable people right in the middle of media hype and state the unspoken truth in cinema.
Khazaee emphasized that a grave crime against humanity is taking place in Gaza, and all artists and cinematographers should reflect the plight of Palestinians.
Regarding the very positive reception of the films at the 42nd FIFF, he stated, “Until yesterday, more than 250,000 people across the country have viewed the festival films. This is an honor for the Islamic Republic of Iran, where cultural movements are held with the support of the people.”
It is worth mentioning that at the request of the head of the Iranian Cinematic Organization, the guests present at this event stood up and observed a one-minute silence in solidarity with the displaced people of Gaza and Palestine.
