The joint-action taken by the 55 Nordic writers, directors, actors follows the death in Iran September 16, of 22 year-old Kurdish/Iranian Masha Amidi. The latter was reportedly tortured and died from her injuries while under Iran's morality police custody, for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.

Since then, Iran has been the stage of massive protests and violent repression from the Iranian police, and according to the Norwegian NGO Iran Human Rights, more than 57 people have died in the protests, although figures are hard to verify due to frequent internet cuts.

The civil unrest is the biggest the country is encountering in three years according to The Guardian (see story CLICK HERE).

In their open letter, the Nordic top talents say they want “to amplify the voices of the thousands of women and men, endangering their lives while chanting “women, life, liberty” in the streets, and “send the following message to the Iranian people: “We hear them, we see them and they are not alone!”

A similar open letter and rallying cry against Iran’s crack down on women’s rights and current police violence against protesters was signed by a group of 11 Iranian filmmakers and actors: (CLICK HERE)


Read the open letter here in full:
NORDIC FILMMAKERS STAND WITH WOMEN IN IRAN

“The tragedy of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death, a 22- year old Kurdish woman who died at the hands of morality police after being arrested for allegedly not following the strict dress code for women in Iran, has sparked mass protests across the country.

Thousands of women and men are bravely protesting in the streets chanting “Woman. Life. Liberty.” with great risks for their lives.

The Iranian government has responded as it usually does: with brutal crackdown. Internet access has been greatly restricted. Protesters filming the violence cannot share what they are witnessing. Being cut off from the outside world might also make them think that no one cares.

With this letter we want to amplify their voices and send a message to the Iranian people that we hear them, we see them and they are not alone.

We invite everyone who believes in freedom and equality to stand in solidarity with the brave women in Iran by using your voice for those who are fighting for theirs. 
 ___________________________________________________________________

Signatories:
Ahmed Abdullahi, Alba August, Alexander Abdallah Ali Abbasi, Amir Escandari. Anna Zackrisson, Ardalan Emaili, Arvin Kananian, Bahador Foladi, Bahar Pars, Dagur Kári, Daniél Espinosa, Eskil Vogt, Eva Marie Rødbro, Evin Ahmad, Fanni Metelius, Gizem Erdogan, Hamy Ramezan, Hlynur Pálmason, Ingeborg Topsøe, Iram Haq Isabella Eklöf, Ivica Zubak, Izer Aliu, Jeanette Nordahl, Jesper Ganslandt, Johanna Pykköö, Joachim Trier, Jonas Poher Rasmussen, Jonas Wagner, Josefin Neldén, Juho Kousmanen, Kaveh Tehrani, Lawen Mohtadi, Lisa Ambjörn, Lisa Farzaneh, Lone Scherfig, Manal Masri, Marall Nasiri, Maya Ilsøe, Milad Alami, Molly Hartleb, Mona Masri, Nagieb Khaja, Oskar Söderlund, Pablo Leiva Wenger, Rojda Sekersöz, Samanou A. Sahlstrøm, Selma Vilhunen, Shebly Niavarani, Tarik Saleh, Thea Hvistendahl, Thomas Vinterberg, Trine Dyrholm, Tuva Novotny.