Makhmalbaf's Censored Film Screens at Venice After 26 Years
Mohsen Makhmalbaf's film 'Shabhaye Zayandeh-rood' (The Nights of Zayandeh-rood) opened the Restored Classics section at the Venice Film Festival. The film was censored in 1990, with 37 of its 100 minutes cut for being contrary to the spirit of the Islamic revolution. It was banned and never shown. Some footage was recovered and edited, but several scenes remain without audio, marked 'mute due to censorship.' Makhmalbaf described the film as a rediscovered son with amputated arms but eager to live. Festival director Alberto Barbera recalled the film's history and expressed emotion. Makhmalbaf recounted a threat from a cleric sent by Iran's supreme leader, to which he replied: 'It's easy to silence the director, but impossible to suppress cinema.'
Key facts
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf's film 'Shabhaye Zayandeh-rood' opened the Restored Classics section at the Venice Film Festival.
- The film was censored in 1990, with 37 of 100 minutes cut for being contrary to the spirit of the Islamic revolution.
- The film was banned and never shown until this screening.
- Some footage was recovered and edited, but several scenes remain without audio, marked 'mute due to censorship'.
- Makhmalbaf described the film as a rediscovered son with amputated arms but eager to live.
- Festival director Alberto Barbera recalled the film's history and expressed emotion.
- Makhmalbaf recounted a threat from a cleric sent by Iran's supreme leader.
- Makhmalbaf replied to the threat: 'It's easy to silence the director, but impossible to suppress cinema.'
Entities
Artists
- Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Institutions
- Venice Film Festival
Locations
- Venice
- Italy