One of Iran’s most prominent actors posted a picture of himself on social media Wednesday without the headscarf required for women in the Islamic Republic.
Tarane Aridosti’s apparent act of defiance comes amid weeks of protests rocking the country after Masa Amini’s death. A 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman died in mid-September after being arrested by Tehran’s morality police for ignoring the country’s strict dress code for women.
Alidusti, one of Iran’s most famous remaining actors and a public supporter of the protest movement, posted a head-baring image of himself on his official Instagram account.
She held up the protest movement’s Kurdish slogan, “Jin.” Zyan. Azadi. (Woman. Life. Freedom.)
Alidusti regularly appears in award-winning films directed by Asghar Farhadi, including The Salesman, which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2017.
A few days ago, on Instagram, the actor said he had vowed to stay in his home country “at all costs” and would quit his job and instead support the families of those killed or arrested in the protest crackdown.
“I am the one who stays here and I have no intention of leaving,” said the 38-year-old, who denied having a foreign passport or residency.
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by InstagramWe ask for your permission before loading anything as it may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, Click “Allow and continue”.
“I will stay, I will quit my job. I will support the families of the prisoners and those who were killed. I will be their advocate,” she said.
“I fight for my home. I will pay any price to defend my rights, but most importantly I believe in what we are building together today,” she said. added.
Alidusti has been a prominent presence on the Iranian film scene since he was a teenager, and was featured in the acclaimed Saeed Roustei’s recent film, Leila’s Brothers, which premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. I’m performing.
She is known as an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and broader human rights in Iran.
Iranian film officials were under pressure even before the protests sparked by Amini’s death began. Award-winning directors Mohammad Rasoulof and Jafar Panahi remain in custody following their arrest earlier this year.
When mass protests rocked the country in November 2019, Alidusti declared that Iranians were “millions of prisoners of war” rather than citizens.
