Iran stops film director from travelling to Berlinale

BERLIN - Iranian authorities have refused to give permission to one of the nation’s leading leading movie directors to leave the nation to be an honorary guest at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, the Berlinale announced Tuesday.

The announcement that Jafar Panahi had been denied permission to leave Iran came as the latest movie from another leading Iranian director, Rafi Pitts, premiered at the Berlinale, which is one of the world’s top film festivals.

At a press conference marking the screening of his film in Berlin, Pitts criticised the decision to refuse Panahi permission to leave Iran.

“I don’t believe in borders,” said Pitts. “I don’t think it is fair for him not to travel.”

Pitts’ movie “Shekarchi” (The Hunter) tells the story of a man who kills two policemen in revenge for the death of his wife and daughter, which was apparently linked to a police shootout with protestors.

He is also a hunter during his leisure time but he quickly finds himself the subject of a police hunt for the cop killer.

“It is a kafkaesque situation that relates to many nations,” said the 42-year-old Pitts, who largely resides in France.

Pitts both directed and played the main character in the film, which was essentially shot during the buildup to Iran’s controversial presidential election last June when the outcome of the polls triggered mass demonstrations in the nation.

“As a filmmaker it is my job to take the pulse of the situation,” said Pitts. “But it is also to ask questions, but maybe not to find answers.”

In 1996, the Iranian-British director’s “It’s Winter” was nominated for the Berlinale’s highest honours, the Golden Bear.

Shekarchi is also this year in the 20-film race for the coveted Golden Bear for best film at what is the Berlinale’s 60th anniversary festival.