Sean Penn and Harvey Weinstein Protest Imprisonment of Iranian Filmmakers

By Jett Wells Posted Dec 28th 2010 03:55PM

Sean Penn and Harvey Weinstein Protest Against Imprisonment of Iranian Filmmaker

The imprisonment of renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has put Iran into yet another war with the West, but this time American filmmakers are rolling up their sleeves. As reported by Deadline Hollywood, Amnesty International (AIUSA) has recruited Sean Penn, director Paul Haggis and Harvey Weinstein to campaign against Panahi's six-year sentence for "propaganda against the state."

"As someone who has often gotten in trouble for opening his mouth, it is hard to fathom the idea of being incarcerated for six years simply for speaking my mind, or to be banned from making films for 20 years," Academy Award winner Haggis ('Crash') said.

Widely known for being critical of Iran's political regime, both Panahi and his collaborator, Mohammad Rasoulof, were sentenced to six years in prison and banishment from making movies for two decades on Dec. 18. Haggis, Weinstein and Penn have all signed a petition with AIUSA, and are urging others to support the cause. Since April, other filmmakers have signed the petition, including Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Robert Redford and Francis Ford Coppola. Haggis is going to campaign more for the petition at the Capri Hollywood Film Festival on Dec. 28.

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"The persecution that Panahi and Rasaulof are experiencing simply shouldn't exist in this day and age," said Larry Cox, executive director of AIUSA. "Their cases, and the campaign waged by Boniadi, Haggis, Penn, Weinstein and others, are emblematic of the work that Amnesty International has tackled head-on over its 50-year history. We are honored and grateful to have their support as we fight for Panahi and Rasaulof's freedom."

Panahi is largely recognized as one of the great Iranian filmmakers today, having directed acclaimed films like 'Badkonake Sefid' ('White Balloon') and 'Dayareh' ('Circle'), which won the Golden Lion at the 2000 Venice Film Festival. He was invited to judge at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, but couldn't attend because he was detained in Tehran at Evin Prison.

Panahi was arrested in March while at home with his family and friends. The prosecutor's office denied the arrest was political -- though he was later convicted on propaganda charges.

Panahi and Rasoulof are expected to the appeal the decision.