Iran Sentences Filmmakers Over Hijab Controversy in 'My Favourite Cake'

Iranian filmmakers Maryam Moghadam and Behtash Sanaeeha have been given a suspended jail sentence and fines for their film 'My Favourite Cake,' which features a woman without a headscarf, seen as controversial by Iranian authorities. The film, acclaimed in Europe and the US, competed at the 2024 Berlin Film Festival and portrays an elderly widow's journey in Tehran. The directors were charged with 'spreading lies' and 'vulgar content,' leading to a 14-month suspended prison term, a five-year travel ban, and equipment confiscation. These legal actions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by artists in Iran, where censorship and legal repercussions for dissenting art are prevalent. The case draws attention to the broader context of increasing artistic repression in Iran following the 2022 Woman Life Freedom protests. This development has sparked criticism from international human rights organizations, underscoring the plight of Iranian artists under the current regime.