Mohammad Rasoulof, Pedro Almodóvar, Juliette Binoche Sign Petition Supporting ‘My Favourite Cake’ Directors as ‘Propaganda’ Trial Starts in Iran

Worldwide film community is gathering support for Iranian directors Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha before their upcoming trial, which centers around accusations of “propaganda against the regime” linked to their movie “My Favourite Cake.” These filmmakers will stand trial in Iran’s Revolutionary Court on Saturday.

As a movie aficionado, I’m part of a group that’s rallying around a significant cause. Signatories include Mohammad Rasoulof, the creator behind the Oscar-nominated film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” who recently sought refuge abroad to evade legal action linked to his movie. Other notable figures supporting this initiative are Pedro Almodóvar, Juliette Binoche, Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Agnieszka Holland, Hiam Abbas, Isabel Coixet, and the directors of prestigious film festivals such as Venice, Berlin, Rotterdam, and Sydney.

This movement, initiated by the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk (ICFR), has already garnered more than 3,000 signatures. We’re standing together to support fellow filmmakers who find themselves in jeopardy due to their work.

Due to relentless questioning and travel restrictions over the past two years, which kept them from attending last year’s Berlin Film Festival where their film “My Favourite Cake” premiered in competition, Moghaddam and Sanaeeha are now scheduled for a court appearance. They face charges of producing an “obscene” film and violating public morality. Additionally, they are accused of spreading anti-regime propaganda and other allegations claiming that the film was unlawfully screened without the necessary Iranian authorities’ permits for distribution.

Given these instances of persecution, our unwavering support is with Maryam and Behtash, ensuring their liberty and ability to create and share their work, as any filmmaker or artist deserves.

Ever since its debut at the Berlin Film Festival in 2024, this heartwarming romantic comedy has garnered global attention, offering viewers an unusual perspective on Iranian society. The story centers around Mahin, a 70-year-old woman embarking on a new chapter in her love life, who makes her screen debut in the film.

In my cinematic journey as a movie enthusiast, I found myself captivated by the subtle portrayal of a protagonist in this film. As Jessica Kiang, the esteemed critic, beautifully expressed in her “My Favorite Cake” review, the character subtly reveals her playful spirit and self-confident daring, breaking through her natural and socially expected decorum.

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2025-02-28 16:47