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VENICE, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 07:  Mohsen Makhmalbaf  attends the Bresson Award Ceremony during the 72nd Venice Film Festival at Excelsior Hotel on September 7, 2015 in Venice, Italy.
Mohsen Makhmalbaf accepts the Bresson prize at the Venice film festival. The Iranian director has voiced his backing for fellow film-maker Oleg Sentsov. Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images
Mohsen Makhmalbaf accepts the Bresson prize at the Venice film festival. The Iranian director has voiced his backing for fellow film-maker Oleg Sentsov. Photograph: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images

Mohsen Makhmalbaf voices support for imprisoned fellow director Oleg Sentsov

This article is more than 8 years old

Iranian film-maker Makhmalbaf endorses international outcry over 20-year jail sentence imposed on Ukrainian director convicted of terrorism

The Iranian film-maker Mohsen Makhmalbaf has added his voice to international protests over the plight of Oleg Sentsov, the Ukrainian director serving a 20-year jail sentence after being convicted on terrorism charges in Russia, by dedicating his acceptance of the prestigious Robert Bresson prize to the jailed film-maker.

Makhmalbaf, the acclaimed director of such films as Gabbeh, Kandahar and most recently The President, prepared a statement in which he described Sentsov’s conviction as a “major injustice” and branded the sentencing “outrageous”. He went on to say: “No national revival is possible on the basis of lies and propaganda … the way to a better future can start only with an act of magnanimity, mercy, and understanding. Oleg Sentsov should make new films, not count years in prison.”

Oleg Sentsov sings the Ukrainian national anthem as he is sentenced to 20 years in a Russian penal colony Guardian

Sentsov attracted the ire of the Russian authorities after helping to organise a campaign protesting at Russia’s occupation and annexation of Crimea in March 2014. He was arrested two months later and went on trial this July, receiving his sentence on 25 August, despite the main prosecution witness retracting his evidence and Sentsov reporting he had been tortured while in custody.

Makhmalbaf said: “The Russian government feels it needs to spread fear among its society to achieve its goal without facing much public protest. To increase the effect of their tactics they needed a famous victim which would set an example for the rest of the society. They chose the film-maker Sentsov as that victim.”

He added: “This move is designed to scare everyone and eliminate the possibility of any further protest [against the annexation of Crimea]. But the Russian government’s goal is not limited to taking over Crimea; the Sentsov sentence is a move to intimidate all Russian society, especially the intellectuals and artists.

“Oleg Sentsov is the true example of a real film-maker. We should all be like him. If you cannot be as brave as him, the least anyone can do is not to forget him during his imprisonment.”

Makhmalbaf himself has suffered considerable harassment and persecution in his home country, and was finally forced into exile in 2005. He is currently based in London.

Makhmalbaf’s compatriot Jafar Panahi, director of The White Balloon and Crimson Gold, was placed under house arrest in Iran in 2010, but later allowed some freedom of movement inside Iran (although he is not able to leave the country). He has since managed to complete three films illegally, including Taxi and This Is Not a Film.

Full text of Makhmalbaf’s statement

When I was the president of the jury of the Sakhalin international film festival On the Edge (Russia), with great concern have I learnt about the 20-year sentence to the Ukrainian filmmaker and activist Oleg Sentsov. The details of this case were related to me by the director of programming of the Sakhalin IFF Alexey Medvedev. I fully understand the worries of my Russian friends and colleagues and support their cause. It seems like this is the case of major injustice. Many film-makers, activists, politicians have already voiced their protest against this politically motivated process, but it didn’t stop the Russian court from issuing an outrageous sentence on 25 August. So, a new campaign is necessary.


In recent years, we have heard many statements from Russian leaders that Russia finally finds its independent voice and is ready to play an important role in the world arena. These claims of course can only be supported, but it is also important to remember that no national revival is possible on the basis of lies and propaganda. Even one destroyed life – and a 20-year sentence for a 39-year old filmmaker surely means the cruellest of all individual punishments – will lead to an even greater punishment and retaliation that may befall on the whole country. The way to a better future can start only with an act of magnanimity, mercy, and understanding. Oleg Sentsov should make new films, not count years in prison.

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