Steve Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Francis Ford Coppola have rallied to support the release of jailed Iranian director Jafar Panahi, Reuters reports. The directors, and other filmmakers and actors like Robert De Niro, have signed a petition for the Iranian government, calling for Panahi to be released. The director, who has helmed movies like The White Balloon, was jailed after supporting Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi in last year’s election. He is being held in Tehran’s Evin prison.
Apr 30
2010
06:53 PM ET
Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and others call for release of Iranian director
- Comments 5
- Add comment
Latest News
- 'The Vow': For love...and box office $$?
- Melissa McCarthy, hubby land pilot at CBS
- Oscars: Acting nominees' official portraits
- '30 Rock': Best lines this week
- Paul McCartney gets star on Walk of Fame
- 'Hunger Games' soundtrack: Cover art
- Nancy Pelosi's 'Stop Colbert' ad: Watch
- 'Vampire Diaries': EW exclusive pics!
Most Commented
Top 5 Most Read
- This Week’s Cover: ‘The Vampire Diaries’ stars talk about the red-hot Damon-Elena-Stefan triangle
- ‘The Vampire Diaries’: Talk tonight’s shocking twist, and find out what’s next from producer…
- 'Vampire Diaries': Exclusive pics!
- ‘Game of Thrones’: Amazing season 2 photos
- 'Grey's Anatomy' recap: Love Is in the ER
I’m sure the Iranian government will get right on that. We all know how they care about their world image.
I’d rather try to make a positive difference despite the odds than sit on my thumb and condescend to others about how the world will never change.
Bravo to these directors! They inspire millions and bring attention to this desperately important issue-human rights, freedom of speech, and support of the arts.
Were they the same directors who called for Roman Polanski’s release from a Swiss prison? I question how much some of them care about HUMAN rights rather ARTISTS rights.
Well, I know Martin Scorsese was. At least now he’s on the right side of an issue. :-/