Acclaimed Iranian Director's Son Defies State Propaganda
In a defiant move, the son of renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami pushes back against the government's attempt to leverage his father's legacy for war propaganda.
Iran's government attempted to capitalize on the legacy of acclaimed filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami to promote its war narrative, but his son Bahman Kiarostami swiftly fired back, refusing to let the state exploit his father's work.
Abbas Kiarostami was a towering figure in world cinema, celebrated for his poetic, contemplative films that offered a unique window into Iranian society. His sudden passing in 2016 left a void in the country's cultural landscape, and the government seemingly saw an opportunity to leverage his iconic status.
According to Bahman Kiarostami, the authorities approached the family, requesting to hold an event at his late father's home to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq War. The war, which lasted from 1980 to 1988, is a pivotal moment in Iranian history that the government frequently invokes to stir patriotism and rally support.
Source: The New York Times
