Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has announced that he’s going through a hunger strike to protest his continued incarceration in Iranian prison. Due to his health condition, and the fact that he has stopped taking his medications, his life is in danger.
“I firmly declare that in protest against the illegal and inhumane behavior of the judicial and security apparatus and their hostage-taking, I have started a hunger strike since the morning of February 1st,” wrote Panahi in a statement.
He added, “I will refuse to eat and drink any food and medicine until the time of my release. I will remain in this state until perhaps my lifeless body is freed from prison.”
In July, Panahi was arrested by Iranian government officials for protesting fellow filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof‘s arrest. He was eventually given a 6-year imprisonment sentence.
If you remember, Rasoulof won the Golden Bear for “There is No Evil” just a year ago. It was a political statement about the Iranian government’s incarceration system.
Previously, Panahi and Rasoulof were also arrested in 2011 for filming without a permit. They were given a six-year prison sentence, Panahi served the remainder of his sentence on house arrest .
Panahi, the filmmaker behind “This is Not A Film” and “The Circle,” both brilliant, premiered his latest film last fall at Venice, this one was titled “No Bears.” He obviously didn’t attend that premiere.
At the moment, our thoughts are with Panahi. Creating art, with total freedom of expression, is a human right.