Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi Opens European Film Awards With Plea for Global Solidarity
BERLIN – Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi delivered a powerful and emotional address at the opening of the 38th European Film Awards in Berlin on Saturday, calling on the world not to ignore the escalating violence in his country. Panahi, known for his critically acclaimed films like “A Simple Event,” spoke of “at least 12,000 deaths in 48 hours,” a claim that, while difficult to independently verify given restrictions on reporting within Iran, underscores the severity of the ongoing unrest.
“Violence, when left unanswered, becomes normalized,” Panahi stated, his words resonating with the audience at the Futurium. “And if truth is silenced in one place, the breath of freedom grows shorter everywhere. Then, no one, in any corner of the world, is safe.”
Panahi’s address immediately set a political tone for the awards, highlighting the role of cinema as a platform for social commentary and a voice for the oppressed. The Iranian government has faced widespread international condemnation for its crackdown on protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, after her arrest for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented a pattern of excessive force and arbitrary arrests by Iranian security forces.
While Panahi’s plea dominated early discussion, the evening ultimately celebrated Joachim Trier’s “Sentimental Value,” a complex family drama, which took home six awards including Best Film, Director, and Screenplay (shared with Eskil Vogt). The film also earned acting awards for Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve.
Trier, reflecting on the current global climate, noted the historical roots of fear. “We are on the borders of Europe, my grandfather was imprisoned, we lived on the borders with Russia and they were very afraid,” he said, drawing a parallel between past anxieties and present-day tensions.
Italy also enjoyed a successful night, with Greta Scarano’s debut film, “La Vita Da Grandi,” a tender story about autism, winning the European Young Audience Award. Scarano dedicated the award to a future free from conflict, pointedly referencing “the genocide in Gaza.”
Veteran actress Alice Rohrwacher received a career achievement award, playfully questioning whether it was a mistake given her age of 44. The Italian-Slovenian documentary “Fiume o Morte!” by Igor Bezinović, exploring the legacy of occupation through the voices of current residents, also secured a win, with Bezinović using his platform to condemn the militarization of Germany.
A particularly moving moment came during the standing ovation for Liv Ullmann, 87, who received a lifetime achievement award. Ullmann addressed the controversial awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Donald Trump after it was initially given to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, who then passed it on to the former U.S. President. “I am Norwegian,” Ullmann stated, reminding the audience that Norwegian law allows for the revocation of a Nobel Prize if misused.
The European Film Awards, presented by the European Film Academy, recognize excellence in European cinema. The awards ceremony serves as a significant cultural event, fostering dialogue and celebrating the art of filmmaking.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/iran/
https://www.efawards.com/
Source: ANSA
