Iran's Creative Community Under Fire

The streets of Tehran are a battleground. Bullets fly, protesters fall, and fear grips the city. For decades, Iran's creative community has faced brutal oppression. Directors, actors, writers, and musicians have been jailed, exiled, or silenced for daring to express themselves. Families suffer for being connected to these artists. Women in Iran face harsh realities. They are treated as second-class citizens. They cannot sing publicly. Girls as young as nine can be forced into marriage. The legal system offers no justice for women, LGBTQ individuals, or those who speak out. Artistic freedom is seen as a crime. Democracy is viewed as a threat. The crackdown has intensified. In the past month, protesters have been shot. Some were still alive when placed in body bags. Torture in jail and mysterious deaths after release have been reported. Organs have been taken without consent. Women are raped or executed for speaking their minds. Silence in the face of such horrors is complicity. Hollywood and the global creative community cannot stay neutral. Many industry figures have spoken out about other crises. But their silence on Iran has been noticed. When Iranian directors like Jafar Panahi are imprisoned, and the world looks away, we are complicit. Advocacy is our responsibility. Neutrality is not an option.Iran's creative community has a rich history. Before the revolution, Tehran was vibrant. Men and women sunbathed together on beaches. The city was full of ideas and eager to grow. But today, women are forced to cover their heads. They live under strict dress codes and constant surveillance. This is a stark contrast to the past. Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale" was inspired by the 1979 revolution. It depicts a society where women lose their autonomy. But even Atwood's darkest visions are milder than Iran's reality. Women are jailed, tortured, and executed for speaking out. Entire communities live in fear. These atrocities need more than headlines or fleeting outrage. They require global attention and solidarity. The creative community worldwide should stand with Iran. Directors, writers, artists, and storytellers must amplify Iranian voices. They must defend their art and refuse to stay neutral. To do otherwise is to accept a world where tyranny crushes both culture and humanity.