An Iranian court has handed Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha, the Iranian filmmakers behind My Favourite Cake, suspended prison sentences.
The film, which premiered at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival and received accolades in both Europe and the US, tells the story of a woman in Tehran experiencing a late-in-life romantic awakening. What set the film apart—and triggered backlash in Iran—was its depiction of the lead character without a headscarf, defying Iran’s strict hijab laws, as per The Guardian. It also portrays private moments involving dancing and singing, activities which are often censored in public life.
What were the charges?
According to the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) and the legal watchdog Dadban, the filmmakers were convicted on several charges:
📌”Spreading lies with the intention of disturbing public opinion” which resulted in a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for five years.
📌”Participating in the production of vulgar content”, which added a one-year prison sentence, also suspended for five years, plus confiscation of their film equipment.
📌 “Showing a film without a screening licence”, which brought an additional fine.
What does a suspended sentence mean?
A suspended sentence means that while the prison time will not be served immediately, any future infractions—even unrelated to this case—could lead to the activation of the sentence. It also puts the filmmakers under long-term legal pressure.
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Why is this significant?
The case highlights the growing tension between Iranian artists and government authorities, especially as censorship and crackdowns on dissent intensify. The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran noted that artists in the country face “increasing censorship, arbitrary detentions and the constant threat of legal repercussions for expressing dissent through their work.”
The Iranian court also convicted My Favourite Cake producer Gholamreza Mousavi to the same sentence as the directors, which also includes a fine of 400 million Iranian Rials ($9,400), as per the American publication Variety.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
