Panahi Urges Filmmakers to Speak Out at European Film Awards Opening

Iranian director Jafar Panahi opened the 38th European Film Awards in Berlin on Saturday with a direct call for filmmakers to speak out against oppression and bloodshed in Iran. He told the audience that silence in the face of such events amounts to joining the darkness, and stressed that truth being crushed in one place threatens freedom everywhere.

Background

Jafar Panahi has long used his films to highlight issues in Iran. For years, he faced bans, house arrest, and prison time from Iranian authorities for his work. Despite these restrictions, he kept making movies in secret, often smuggling them out of the country. His latest film, shown at the awards, draws from his own time in jail. It looks at revenge and how to break cycles of violence under oppression.

The European Film Awards bring together filmmakers from across the continent and beyond each year. This 38th edition takes place in Berlin, a city with a strong film history. Panahi's role as opener sets a serious tone right at the start. His words come at a time when protests in Iran have led to heavy crackdowns. Reports from activists put the death toll from these events over 2,500. Security forces have clashed with demonstrators in cities and towns, leading to widespread arrests and injuries.

Panahi has spoken before at international events about conditions back home. At other awards shows, like the National Board of Review gala in New York earlier this week, he made similar pleas. There, he pointed to the streets of Iran as the real scene of action, not cinema screens. His presence at these gatherings gives him a platform to reach global audiences and fellow artists.

The awards ceremony itself honors films from Europe and other regions. Organizers chose Panahi to speak first, recognizing his body of work and his stand against censorship. Berlin's event draws hundreds of industry people, from directors to actors, making it a key spot for such messages.

Key Details

Panahi stood before the crowd and spoke through an interpreter. He described the current situation in Iran plainly. Protesters face gunfire from state forces, he said. The crackdown aims to hold off the government's fall, but it has only brought more blood.

“As we stand here, the state of Iran is gunning down protesters and a savage massacre continues blatantly on the streets of Iran,” Panahi said. “Today the real scene is not on screens but on the streets of Iran. The Islamic Republic has caused a bloodbath to delay its collapse.”

He made it clear this is not a story or a film script. It is real life, marked by bullets each day. Panahi pushed filmmakers to use their voices and platforms. He said cinema can stand with people who have no defense.

“Silence is a participation in darkness,” he added. “When the truth is crushed in one place, freedom suffocates everywhere. Then no one is safe anywhere.”

His speech hit hard. People in the room sat quietly as he finished. The event went on with awards for various films, but his words lingered. Other speakers at recent awards have echoed similar concerns. For example, at the New York gala, directors talked about violence in their own contexts, like police actions in U.S. cities.

Awards Context

Panahi's film took a top international prize at another recent event. Judges praised its take on stopping violence cycles. The European awards will hand out honors in categories like best film, director, and actor. Past winners have included major names from European cinema. This year, the focus stays on stories that matter amid global tensions.

The Berlin setting adds weight. Germany has hosted the awards many times, and its film community often backs free expression. Organizers did not comment right away on Panahi's remarks, but the crowd response showed they landed.

What This Means

Panahi's call puts pressure on the film world to respond. Filmmakers at the event now face a choice: speak up or stay quiet. His words link cinema to real-world fights for rights. If more artists follow, it could amplify voices from Iran and draw attention to the protests.

Events like these awards often shape public views. A speech here reaches press, social media, and industry leaders. It might lead to statements from groups or boycotts of Iranian officials. Past cases show filmmaker protests can shift policies or spotlight abuses.

For Iran, the timing matters. Protests continue despite the deaths. Panahi's platform from Berlin could encourage more demonstrators or pressure leaders outside Iran to act. European countries have voiced concerns over human rights there before.

The film community has history with such stands. Directors have rallied for causes from political prisoners to free speech bans. Panahi's own path—making films under bans—serves as an example. His success abroad shows art can endure oppression.

Other winners at the awards might build on his message. Recent speeches, like those tying films to street violence, suggest a pattern. This could mark a moment where entertainment events turn into forums for global issues.

Panahi ends by saying cinema must stand with the defenseless. His plea asks everyone in the room—and watching—to pick a side. The awards continue over the weekend, with more chances for reactions. Eyes stay on Berlin as the night unfolds.