Venice Film Festival to hold flash mob in solidarity with Iranian people

Venice Film Festival is set to organize a flash mob on the event’s red carpet to show its solidarity with Iranians who are fighting for their freedom and against "the ongoing repression' with filmmakers and artists held or imprisoned by Tehran.

The decision was taken following the six month sentence given to Iranian director Saeed Roustaee, who presented his film Leila's Brothers at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022.

"The directors, artists, and other personalities from the world of film present at the Lido on September 2 will be invited to participate in a flash mob at 6 pm on the red carpet of the Palazzo del Cinema in order to raise the awareness of the media, governments, and humanitarian organisations worldwide with regard to the situation of the Iranian people," the Venice Film Festival organisers said in a statement.

It is to be noted that producer Javad Noruzbegi who backed the film was also given the same punishment for showing their film at the festival without getting permission from the government, on the grounds of making 'propaganda against the system”.

Leila's Brothers is about family, stricken by poverty, amid the country facing international sanctions, and nationwide demonstrations.

Meanwhile, the flash mob is set to take place on the same day film Tatami will be screened. It is co-directed by Israeli director Guy Nattiv and Iranian actor Zar Amir Ebrahimi.

The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival will run from August 30 to September 9.