03/02/2011

Iranian director Jafar Panahi will receive the Carrosse d’Or (“Golden Coach”) awarded by the Society of Film Directors (SRF) at the opening evening of the 43rd Directors’ Fortnight, which will run from May 12-22 at the 64th Cannes Film Festival.

Created in 2002, the award is intended for directors chosen for their innovative films, their bold and uncompromising direction and production. Previous Carrosse d’Or winners include Jacques Rozier, Clint Eastwood, Nanni Moretti, Ousmane Sembene, David Cronenberg, Alain Cavalier, Jim Jarmusch, Naomi Kawase and Agnès Varda. It should be recalled that Panahi’s debut feature The White Balloon screened in the Directors’ Fortnight in 1995 and won the Cannes Camera d’Or.

In a statement, the SRF said: "his films denounce the inequalities and lack of freedom in Iranian society and he is openly critical of the regime. For this reason, in December 2010 Jafar Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison in his country. His sentence is accompanied by a ban on making films and writing scripts."

"Mindful of all attacks on freedom of expression and creation, the SRF supports Jafar Panahi and the people of Iran in their fight for democracy. By awarding Panahi, we want to honour all Iranian directors who, in exile or at home, continue to make films."

(Translated from French)