The message: reform

Friday, 07. 3. 2009  –  by Janice

I had the opportunity to show my solidarity with Iran this past week at a demonstration for Iranian political prisoners at Union Square Park. The event was organized by the New York chapter of Where is My Vote? I was excited about the momentum that still floating for supporting Iran and looked forward to an opportunity to talk to people about The Stoning of Soraya M.

Once I arrived at the park I approached the crowd fully geared to participate in a demonstration to free political prisoners in Iran. I was wearing a green t-shirt, green scarf, green earrings, and a new green #iran wristband I had just bought from www.iranwristbands.com. After approaching a woman to ask about Where is My Vote we had a great conversation about the film. I then began to wander the crowd and give away beautiful color postcards advertising the film. Although I had planned to attend the rally with a small group and was instead alone, I was determined to spread the word about Soraya and decided to continue speaking to people about the film independently.

I walked up to a group of women my age, apparently associated with Where is My Vote? I asked one of them directly if she had seen the film and offered her a flier. The girl looked disgustingly at the flier: “I am not interested in that,” she said, refusing to make eye contact with me. I turned to one of the other women, “Do you think you are interested?” I said, trying hard not to act embarrassed. “Uh, I am with her” she said to me, looking down. She looked up, “we are here for solidarity.” I pulled slightly on my green t-shirt, “I am for solidarity too, that’s why I am here” I said, looking her in the eye. She smiled slightly and looked uncomfortable. “I am just an activist trying to get this story told,” I said to the group as I walked away. One or two of them yelled after me, “people are here to exploit! You are here to exploit!” I did not respond, but walked away quickly, embarrassed for both of us and suddenly not in the mood to try to pass out more fliers.

I sat on a park bench, feeling dejected. I started to wonder about the perspective of these women who so quickly dismissed me and judged my motives. I recalled conversations I had had with both Cyrus Nowrasteh (the film's director) and Shorhreh Aghdashloo (Zahra) the week before.

The film had enjoyed elevated attention in the media in the week before my conversations with Cyrus and Shohreh, largely due to the interest in the Iran demonstrations. While speaking to each of them individually last week, I pointedly asked them what the true connection between the film and the demonstrators was. They both gave me the same answer: reform.

Shohreh related an experience that she had while filming the gruesome stoning scene of the film. At one point while lying on the dusty ground she looked up, and all she could see was feet, dust, and angry men calling for the stoning to begin (click here for exclusive film clips). A while later when attending the L.A. premier of the film she had an ironically similar experience. A huge pro-reform demonstration for Iran surrounded the theater, requiring her to walk through the crowd of demonstrators to enter. As she thought back to the crowd at the stoning scene her friend turned to her “the film starts here” she said.

The film starts here. The final message of The Stoning of Soraya M. is that such injustices as take place in oppressive regimes must be eradicated. All people deserve to be represented by governments that will respect and honor human dignity. Reform in areas void of such representation is mandatory. Citizens should be able to take for granted that they will not face a demise similar to that of Soraya or Neda or the many political prisoners currently being held in Iran.

As I discussed in my last post, the connection between the political crisis in Iran, its fearless participants, and Soraya’s story is a strong one. I am showing solidarity with Neda and all pro-reform Iranians by promoting The Stoning of Soraya M. and human rights with the Moral Courage summer campaign. Its not exploitation, its determination.

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