Iranian director Panahi: ‘Risk of arrest? Never considered exile’

Milan, 4 December (LaPresse/AP) – Iranian director Jafar Panahi says he wants to return home after the tour for his new film, “It Was Just an Accident”, and that he has never considered exile, despite the threat of prison awaiting him in Iran. Earlier this week, a Tehran court sentenced Panahi to one year in prison in absentia and banned him from leaving Iran for two years after finding him guilty of ‘propaganda against the system.’ His lawyer said he would appeal the ruling. On Thursday, Panahi told an applauding audience at the Marrakech International Film Festival that he knew his films ‘are not liked by the government, but that is no reason to leave’ Iran.