Prominent film director, Rakhshan Baniadam's open letter

I'm not afraid to be accused of conspiracy in this time of chaos and lawlessness.

I'm not afraid to be accused of misguiding the public. You cannot deny that I am a mother. Not only mother to Tandis & Baran but to all the youth, who through years displayed their mothers' charachters in my films: 'Tuba', 'Gilaneh', 'Forough', 'Nargess', 'sima' and……………..

Mothers of those who let me into the secrets of their lives and told me of their pains and their silent cries, hoping I will show them in my films. To respect the trust of these people, I give myself the right to publish this open letter on behalf of those who mourn the loss of their children or wander around town to find tracks of the disappeared.

I write this open letter to say that no law and no political consideration can justify the pain of these mothers. In a situation where no one gives the truth out and no one responsible to answer the pleas of these families, how can I sit and not shiver at the news or even rumours of the death of the boys and girls of this country.

Give my camera immunity for a few days. I will produce uncensored reports. Maybe you really do not know what goes on under the skin of town?

This open letter was published in many Iranian sites in Farsi including www.iranianwomenuk.blogspot.com.

Translated by: Rouhi Shafii