Actress wins Venice award for patriarchy film

Laleh Marzban won best actress in the Orizzonti competition for Falling House, a film about three generations of women locked in their home by their father.

She dedicates prize to Iranian women

In her acceptance speech, Marzban dedicated the award to Iranian women who have paid the highest price for freedom, saying her country faces difficult days but should not lose hope.

“the women of my country who have paid the highest price for even the smallest measure of freedom”

Iranian authorities condemn her speech

The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution issued a statement calling her remarks a one-sided narrative that reduces Iranian women to Western stereotypes and contradicts art's social mission.

State media launches personal attacks

Iranian state TV and news outlets called Marzban two-faced and hypocritical, with some calling for her to be disciplined and banned from working in Iran.

“a two-faced person, self-interested, hypocritical, despicable and miserable”

Pattern mirrors Israeli film controversy

The backlash echoes threats against directors of NAZA, a Gaza documentary that premiered at Venice, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu seeking laws to strip citizenship from those who criticize soldiers.

Marzban knew the risks beforehand

Before Venice, Marzban said she hoped her small contribution would inspire others to take steps toward freedom for Iranian women, acknowledging the question of how the film would be received at home.

“I have made my small part. I have given my contribution.”