Asghar Farhadi implores filmmakers to speak out against “inhumane, illegal, and destructive” Iran war
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has implored filmmakers to speak out against the “inhumane, illegal, and destructive” war being waged in the country by the US.
The two-time Oscar winner released a statement on April 7th, in which he encouraged more individuals working in the film industry to use their voices to stand up for the Iranian people, who are currently facing a war from Donald Trump’s government.
Farhadi said (via Deadline): “I call on artists and filmmakers everywhere in the world to be a voice in these critical days and hours, in any way possible, to stop the destructive aggression that has increasingly destroyed civilian infrastructure.”
The filmmaker continued: “Infrastructure that belongs to the Iranian people and is related to the basic needs of their daily lives. The destruction of infrastructure is not just the destruction of buildings, it is an attack on human life and dignity.”
He added: “Attacking a country’s infrastructure is a war crime. Regardless of any beliefs or attitudes, let’s unite to stop this inhumane, illegal, and destructive process.”
Earlier in the day, the US president appeared to threaten the Iranian government in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying, “a whole civilization will die tonight” if a deal is not reached between the countries on opening the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Trump also added in his post, “maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS?” before his imposed deadline of 8pm US Eastern time is reached.
If Trump’s threats of destroying civilian targets in Iran come to fruition, it would be considered a war crime in violation of the Geneva convention.
A number of other stars have condemned the US government’s invasion of Iran since it began at the end of February, including former White Stripes frontman Jack White, who wrote at the time: “Don’t you love seeing him declare war on a country while wearing a trucker hat that says ‘USA’ on it? Behold the leader of the ‘Board of Peace’.”
He added: “For the next war announcement Donny, may I suggest having your feet up on the Resolute desk while eating a Big Mac in a velvet track suit? Venezuela, Greenland, Iran, Cuba, what’s the difference right? Don Jr and Barron won’t have to fight or die, just other people’s children, so…invade and bomb away!”
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