Lebanon Bans Screening of Iran Film 'Green Days'
Lebanese authorities have banned screening of the Iranian film "Green Days," which deals with protests against the 2009 re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, an organizer said on Tuesday.
"We received a call yesterday from General Security informing us they had withdrawn the license allowing us to screen the film," Colette Naufal, organizer of the Beirut International Film Festival, told Agence France Presse.
"When we asked them why, we were told: 'This is not our decision, we are only carrying out orders."
The film was to be screened at the Beirut International Film Festival's "Forbidden Films Festival", which showcases previously censored films from June 22 to June 26.
"Green Days" by Iranian film-maker Hana Makhmalbaf, 22, shows raw footage of the violence that erupted when security forces cracked down on protests following Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election.
Makhamalbaf is the daughter of Mohsen Makhamalbaf, who is close to leading Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi whose green-ribbon-wearing supporters gained international attention for protesting against what they said was a rigged election.
A high-ranking official in Lebanon's former government, who had been following the case, said the decision to ban the film came following an appeal by the Iranian ambassador.
"Ambassador Ghadanfar Rokenabadi informed Lebanese authorities that screening the film would be considered an attack on Iranian sovereignty and requested it be banned," the official told AFP, asking not to be identified.
The Iranian embassy had no immediate comment.
Lebanese authorities already banned the screening of "Green Days" at a festival last October that coincided with a visit to Beirut by Ahmadinejad.
After nearly five months of wrangling, Prime Minister Najib Mikati last week formed a government dominated by an alliance led by the Iranian- and Syrian-backed Hezbollah movement, leaving the Saudi- and Western-backed bloc that led the previous government out in the cold.
22 June 2011, 12:35
24
This is Lebanon, Not IRAN, We should be allowed to show what we please. If you don't like it, then go home.
22 June 2011, 12:48
03
Not a great loss - who needs Iran in any shape, form or political class. The mess they are in is their fault - good riddance - HOORAY FOR CENSORSHIP
22 June 2011, 13:07
24
This is a blatant attack on our freedom of speech !!
Unacceptable !! This is not what we stand for !!
22 June 2011, 13:32
03
pathetic shame!!
regardless of the source of the information, nothing should be banned. it's a significant part of the true education of the lebanese people.
22 June 2011, 13:56
11
Wow - yet another Iranian movie - please stop send Iranian movies - we don't want any Iran - send any other movies please
22 June 2011, 14:01
12
Some tell the censorship Michel Aoun appears in it - they will allow it to play on alllll seven screens - or you can go to Iran and watch it!
22 June 2011, 15:17
02
Censorship. The new regime begins. What will be next of the freedoms experienced in Lebanon to go?
Freedom is not lost all at one time, but slowly, inch by inch, one small concession that leads to the next until you look around and see that it is all gone.
Already the Opposition M14 must meet in Paris out of fear of assassination of its leadership if it meets in Lebanon. Did you notice that? The Syrian National Council, which is its opposition to the Assad Regime also must meet outside of Syria due to the same fears of assassination.
And when all of the women in Lebanon will be required to wear the chador, then it will be too late.
22 June 2011, 17:47
02
I saw this movie, it showed a HZB leader in a sexy scene. You wouldn't want to see it. Not missing much
22 June 2011, 18:16
03
And so the Iranian orders come in and are executed to the fullest. So who controls the government now? The Lebanese or the Syrian/Iranian governments?
22 June 2011, 18:36
03
freedom of speech, version M8!!!
thank you, it is true that the new gvt is acting!!!!
22 June 2011, 19:01
03
To our esteemed Lebanese leaders.... GO F&%K YOURSELVES!!! Seriously a ban on a movie? Again? Still? WTF! Let's go back to banning rock music, video games, and anything that happens to not jive with our 1984 style dictation. I'm sure the movie does not include pornography or anything that insults common decency. Why are we banning this? Political reasons? That sucks and you all know it. Pathetic!
22 June 2011, 19:07
02
biggdigg... no need to call anyone an a - - hole. Please grow up and stop playing the blame game. If the previous regime censored movies (which they did along with music and video games) let the new regime prove it's not just that much worse by taking its turn and doing the same thing. Freedom of speech and freedom of press!!! We deserve it! Any new lebanese government should support that without any acception. You my friend should be out here screaming the same thing instead of trying to justify the ignorant oppressive actions of the new government by comparing them to the ignorant oppressive actions of the previous governments.
23 June 2011, 02:50
01
since we are a satellite to The Iranians they can order what they please and iof you dont like it Hizballah will take care of you..
