Iran’s Leaders Shut Down Independent Film Group

Brushing aside protests by Iranian filmmakers and rights activists, Iran’s Culture Ministry formally dissolved the House of Cinema, the only domestic organization that supports independent film, and moved to replace it with a committee that would not deviate from strict Islamic guidelines and politically permissible topics.

Founded 20 years ago, the House of Cinema has more than 5,000 members and is the parent group for a range of motion picture guilds in Iran. It has acted to protect their financial interests and creative rights, so the breakup of the organization, if not reversed, could fracture and silence Iran’s last remaining autonomous outlet of visual artistic expression. The dissolution order coincided with unprecedented praise for an independently produced Iranian film, “A Separation,” which has received many awards and is a favorite to win top honors at the Golden Globes this weekend in Los Angeles. There is talk that the film, which depicts the breakup of a marriage, will be an Oscar favorite as well.