Independence of Iran’s film industry said to be at risk
Rebecca Hawkes ©RapidTVNews | 09-01-2012Iranian officials have issued a closure notice for Tehran's House of Cinema, a cultural institution that promotes Iranian films, according to the UK's Telegraph.
"The House of Cinema has received a notice from the Ministry of Culture that the organisation is illegal and must be dissolved as an entity," said Farhad Toohid, the chief executive officer.
Bodies controlled by the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance are reportedly to run Iran's movie industry after the centre's closure.
The move follows a spate of harsh criticism from pro-regime media aimed at the country's film industry. Critics contend the House of Cinema promotes low moral standards.
Directors and actors have, however, condemned the government's action across various social media sites. Actress Marzieh Vafamehr, who starred in My Tehran for Sale, has warned that the centre's closure will undermine the independence of the film industry.
Former culture minister Ahmad Masjed Jamei, who served under former president of Iran Mohammad Khatami, has also condemned the decision.
"We cannot bring the issue of cultural activities under the government's control as artistic productions do not follow cabinet directives," he is quoted as saying in the Telegraph. "This is the House of Cinema, not a cabinet office to act as a subordinate of the ministers."
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