вЂњThis is the state of freedom of expression in the Islamic Republic. 'They have frightened some of the signatories by to arrest them and told some that they can no longer work,вЂќ he added. In an Instagram post on May 30, Rasulof said authorities had warned the signatories that they could be arrested or banned from working in Iran. Iranian Filmmaker Said Held In Evin Prison Amid Reports Of Other Recent Detentions вЂњI believe it would be appropriate for those who signed the statement without having read it or those who read it but were not being aware of its anti-security nature to withdraw their signature,вЂќ added the piece that was written by an вЂњinformed source.вЂќ

IranвЂ™s Culture Minister Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili on May 30 warned that вЂњthose who want to stand against the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and the guardians of IranвЂ™s security with worthless statements and delusionary remarksвЂќ will face action.ДЄn opinion piece in the state-run Cinema Press warned that the signatories could face six months to three years in jail for signing the вЂњstrange and irrationalвЂќ statement. Some also appear to have been pressured into withdrawing their signatures from the statement. Since issuing the letter, the signatories have been publicly threatened by authorities. The statement was signed by prominent figures, including award-winning filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasulof as well as acclaimed feminist film director Tahmineh Milani. The open letter issued by the Iranian filmmakers and artists had called вЂњon all those who have become agents of repression in the military units to lay down their arms and return to the nationвЂ™s embrace.вЂќ It added that вЂњpublic outrage over corruption, theft, inefficiency, and repressionвЂќ had prompted the вЂњwave of popular protests.вЂќДЄward-Winning Iranian Actress Opens Up On 'Very Difficult' Exile, 'Problems' In Homeland Authorities have disrupted the Internet and riot police have used tear gas and fired warning shots to disperse protesters on the streets. The government has launched a crackdown to quell the demonstrations. Many demonstrators have directed their anger at IranвЂ™s clerical regime. But protesters in Abadan and other Iranian cities have put the blame on government negligence and endemic corruption. The May 29 open letter came as residents of IranвЂ™s southwestern city of Abadan staged rallies over the collapse of a 10-story building that killed at least 39 people.ДЄuthorities blamed the May 23 collapse on poor safety and local corruption. Scores of Iranian filmmakers and artists who penned an open letter in support of anti-government protesters have been threatened by authorities, with some rescinding their signatures.

Radio silence filmmakers