Last Tuesday, I sent the message issued by our country’s prominent filmmaker Asghar Farhadi regarding the brutal attacks by the enemy to several major international media outlets with which I have close collaborations. It was met with widespread reactions and gained extensive media coverage. The text of his message was: “I ask artists and filmmakers around the world to be a voice for stopping the destructive aggression that has increasingly led to the destruction of civilian infrastructure. I urge artists and filmmakers everywhere, in these critical days and hours, to use every possible means to raise their voices to stop this destructive aggression that is increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure.
🔹 Infrastructure that belongs to the people of Iran and is tied to their basic daily needs.
The destruction of infrastructure is not merely the destruction of buildings—it is an attack on human life and dignity.
🔹 Attacking a country’s infrastructure is a war crime. Regardless of any belief or viewpoint, let us unite our voices to stop this inhumane, illegal, and destructive process.”
The respected magazine Variety reported that Asghar Farhadi, the internationally renowned Iranian director and two-time Academy Award winner for Best Foreign Language Film, called on artists and filmmakers worldwide to protest against the bombing of Iran by the United States and Israel in order to “prevent the destruction of civilian infrastructure in the country.”
The report also stated that Farhadi’s new film, titled “Parallel Stories”, set in Paris and featuring prominent French actors such as Isabelle Huppert, Vincent Cassel, and Catherine Deneuve, is expected to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
The Hollywood Reporter wrote that Farhadi has urged global filmmakers to take a stand against what he described as a “war crime” targeting Iran’s infrastructure, amid escalating threats by Donald Trump. According to the report, this appeal came after Trump threatened that if a ceasefire agreement was not reached within a specified deadline, “an entire civilization” in Iran—including civilian infrastructure—could be destroyed.
Farhadi, who won Academy Awards for A Separation and The Salesman, called on filmmakers worldwide to oppose “the destruction of civilian infrastructure in this country.”
Screen Daily also reported that following escalating threats by former U.S. President Donald Trump, Farhadi called on filmmakers around the world to take a position against U.S. attacks on Iran.
The entertainment industry outlet Deadline wrote that the veteran Iranian filmmaker urged artists and filmmakers globally to publicly speak out against what he described as the “destructive aggression” of the current U.S. war against Iran. The report noted that Farhadi released his statement on Tuesday evening, calling on his fellow filmmakers worldwide to respond.
The Wrap highlighted a key line from Farhadi’s message: “Destroying infrastructure is not just demolishing buildings—it is an attack on human life and dignity.”
It added that after Donald Trump allegedly warned that “an entire civilization would die tonight,” Farhadi made a direct and emotional appeal to artists and filmmakers to use their voices to prevent the destruction of Iran’s civilian infrastructure, calling such actions a war crime. Trump’s statement on the social media platform Truth Social reportedly sparked shock and outrage across the political spectrum.
Farhadi, who won the Oscar for A Separation, also famously boycotted the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony after winning again for The Salesman, in protest of Trump’s travel ban.
The Italian news agency ANSA reported that the Iranian filmmaker—whose new film “Parallel Stories” is said to be a contender for the upcoming Cannes Film Festival—has called on artists and filmmakers worldwide to make their voices heard by any means possible to stop the destructive attack on civilian infrastructure.
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera echoed his message, writing: “Let us unite to stop this inhumane, illegal, and destructive process.”
Beyond platforms such as IMDb, Pakistan’s Express Tribune also published Farhadi’s message, noting that it comes amid rising tensions around Iran and increasing global concern among political leaders, activists, and public figures. It added that Farhadi’s statement contributes to a growing wave of voices condemning the impact of war on civilians and cultural heritage.
The report emphasized that Farhadi has long explored complex social and moral issues in Iranian society through his acclaimed works, and that his latest statement reflects a continuation of this engagement—this time extending beyond cinema into global advocacy for the people of Iran.
His appeal underscores the growing role of filmmakers and artists in shaping public discourse during times of war, calling for unity across borders to resist violence and protect human dignity.
German outlets such as Der Tagesspiegel, Mexico’s Performa, the UK-based international magazine Far Out, and several prominent figures in the film world have also condemned the attacks since they began at the end of February. Among them was musician Jack White, former member of The White Stripes, who addressed Donald Trump, writing:
“Don’t you want to see it? You’re declaring war on a country while wearing a trucker hat that says ‘United States of America’ on it! Look at the leader of the ‘peace mission’!”
Austrian outlet Salzburger Nachrichten, Switzerland’s Swissinfo, Germany’s Kleine Zeitung and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) also published Farhadi’s message.
Mexico’s El Norte further reported that António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, warned that attacks on civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law, heightening global concern about further escalation.
German news site NOZ and Spain’s art magazine Rubicón also covered the story, noting that Farhadi’s international career includes strong ties to Europe—particularly Spain, where he directed the 2018 film Everybody Knows, starring Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz, Ricardo Darín, and Bárbara Lennie.
Farhadi’s remarks were also highlighted in the final hours of the conflict between the United States and Iran, during efforts to reach a high-level agreement on the intensity of the confrontation. Germany’s Radio Cologne echoed his call: “Let us unite to stop this inhumane act…”
