Kerala: why Iranian filmmaker Mahnaz Mohammadi sent a lock of hair to the Indian film festival
Kerala: why Iranian filmmaker Mahnaz Mohammadi sent a lock of hair to the Indian film festival
Image source, Getty Images By Imran QureshiBBC Hindi
An Iranian filmmaker recently hit the headlines e in India when she sent a lock of her hair to a film festival in the southern state of Kerala.
Mahnaz Mohammadi was unable to travel to India last week to receive the Spirit of Cinema award at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).< /p>
The award was established in 2021 to honor filmmakers "whose passion for cinema is unwavering despite the adversaries they face".
< p class="ssrcss- 1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">A virulent critic of the Iranian government, Ms Mohammadi was unable to renew her passport, which is due to expire in March.
Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari and IFFK jury member received the award on her behalf at a ceremony held in the city of Thiruvananthapuram on December 9.
Ms Tsangari then held Ms Mohammadi's lock of hair as the audience erupted in applause and cheers.
"Cut hair is a symbol of the tragedy we face every day and every moment," Ms Mohammadi told the BBC in an email interview, adding that she "doesn't couldn't stop crying" after seeing the response she received at the film festival.
Image source, Getty Images By Imran QureshiBBC Hindi
An Iranian filmmaker recently hit the headlines e in India when she sent a lock of her hair to a film festival in the southern state of Kerala.
Mahnaz Mohammadi was unable to travel to India last week to receive the Spirit of Cinema award at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).< /p>
The award was established in 2021 to honor filmmakers "whose passion for cinema is unwavering despite the adversaries they face".
< p class="ssrcss- 1q0x1qg-Paragraph eq5iqo00">A virulent critic of the Iranian government, Ms Mohammadi was unable to renew her passport, which is due to expire in March.
Greek filmmaker Athina Rachel Tsangari and IFFK jury member received the award on her behalf at a ceremony held in the city of Thiruvananthapuram on December 9.
Ms Tsangari then held Ms Mohammadi's lock of hair as the audience erupted in applause and cheers.
"Cut hair is a symbol of the tragedy we face every day and every moment," Ms Mohammadi told the BBC in an email interview, adding that she "doesn't couldn't stop crying" after seeing the response she received at the film festival.
Image source, Getty Images 
