In late October, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Iran released a list of actresses who are prohibited from working in the industry due to appearing in public without a headscarf. Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili stated that it is not possible to collaborate with individuals who do not adhere to the mandatory hijab law.
The current list consists of around 20 names, including renowned artists such as Taraneh Alidoosti, who at the age of 39 starred in the critically acclaimed film The Salesman in 2016. The movie earned director Asghar Farhadi an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2017.
Arrest of an Actress Over Social Media Post
Alidoosti used to wear a headscarf in public even when she was abroad. However, this changed in November 2022 after Iran experienced protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who was arrested by the morality police for violating the country’s Islamic dress code and later died while in police custody.
Alidoosti posted a photo of herself without a headscarf on Instagram, reaching out to her over 8 million followers. The image displayed her holding a slip of paper that reads “women, life, freedom,” in support of the Iranian women’s rights movement and anti-government protests.
The recent passing of 17-year-old Armita Geravand unfortunately demonstrates that the failure to cover one’s head in public can have deadly consequences for women in Iran. Geravand was on her way to school without a headscarf in early October when she was allegedly assaulted by the morality police on the Tehran metro, resulting in severe head trauma. She was hospitalized, fell into a coma, and was later declared brain dead. She was buried on October 29.
Outrage Among Young Iranian Women
A student from Tehran expressed to DW, “We risk our lives every day by being outside without our headscarves. It is disheartening to see many actresses continue to wear one.” She pointed to a gathering of film industry insiders at the funeral of Iranian director Dariush Mehrjui and his wife, screenwriter Vahideh Mohammadifar, who were found dead in their home in mid-October.
Like many other filmmakers in Iran, Mehrjui frequently clashed with state authorities. He often expressed his discontent with the Iranian culture ministry, particularly when his last film “La Minor” was censored in March 2022. At their funeral, numerous actresses wore headscarves, while the only woman to deviate from the mandatory hijab was 16-year-old Mona Mehrjui, the couple’s daughter.
‘The Price of Resistance is High’
“I understand that the younger generation is angry with us. My generation is conservative and cautious,” said Shole Pakravan to DW. The stage actress and author has been residing in Germany since 2017 following the execution of her daughter, Reyhaneh Jabbari, in Iran. Pakravan emphasized the high cost of resistance in Iran and the reluctance to wear a headscarf to stay visible.
Pakravan added that she does not believe the resistance in Iran has ended, stating that it has transformed and will reemerge in new forms. She expressed that those in power are now facing a brave and determined generation of women who demand freedom and an end to oppression.