After appearing in Tehran for Sale, an Australian film from 2009 that was highly critical of her home country, Iranian film star Marzieh Vafamehr has been sentenced to a year in jail as well as 90 lashes. The Australian government is telling Iran to, "protect the rights of all Iranian citizens" and that it is deeply concerned with regard to her punishment. The producers of the movie believe that Vafamehr's charges are most likely due to the scenes in which she appears without a hijab headscarf. (the trailer for the movie can been seen here)
The article says that this type of punishment is not surprising in Iran, a country which is known for oppressing citizens. Why is Iran so intent on punishing those who speak out against the government when most of the world already condemns them for such? This is a scare tactic but it is not keeping news of such incredible punishment and inhumane treatment out of the news. Such violence would not seem out of place in Persepolis, which takes place over thirty years ago; how can such strict punishment still happen without more condemnation from other nations? Why does it seem that nothing has changed in regard to the way Iran treats its citizens?
It's hard to comment on another culture when I was raised on different beliefs. But it seems to me that the actress knew the risks when she signed on to the movie and I admire for standing up for something that she believes in. I think Iran is so strict because they have a set of traditional values and they want those as their reputation and are afraid of change. Since this case has gone public now, it would be a great time for someone to interfere... I think no one does because we feel it is not our place to interfere with other values/ are avoiding what an interference could potentially cost. But if the UN claims to be in the best interest of the people of the world than they should make this public case a stepping stone to help women and men, like this actress, that get unfairly punished every day.
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