You’re on trial in Iran for making My Favourite Cake. You were in court this morning. What happened?
Behtash Sanaeeha: We were supposed to be in court. But there is very high air pollution in Tehran today, so the government closed all public buildings.
What are you charged with?
BS: We have three charges against us. One is propaganda against the regime, another is breaking Islamic rules by making a vulgar movie. And the third is spreading prostitution and libertinism. It’s ridiculous.
That is ridiculous! People have been falling in love with your film. But the consequences have been life-changing for you. How would you describe 2024?
Maryam Moghaddam: Like you say, it has been really bittersweet. People really liked the film and supported it everywhere in the world. So that was great for us. It feels like it was worth all the difficulties, because we took a step towards what we want to do in cinema in Iran, we crossed the red lines. It feels for the first time that we’ve made a film in Iran which is real.
In the film you show a woman drinking alcohol, dancing, and not wearing a headscarf in her home. Are these the red lines you’re talking about?
MM: Yes. After the revolution, women have been forced to have a double life. We are the same as we were before the revolution. Normal people dancing and singing. Outside we are forced to be another person, to pretend that we are very religious, wear the hijab. And it’s been forbidden to show this in movies. In 45 years, all the films you have seen show women in the mandatory hijab, even at home. Which is just not true.
You’ve been praised for your bravery in defying the authorities to release the film.
MM: It’s nice to hear. We haven’t felt it because we have been sitting on our sofa. We’ve read the articles, the critics, and it’s been great to know that there are many positive thoughts about what we’ve done. We are very happy and proud.
You are stuck on your sofa because of bail restrictions. What are they?
BS: We’re not allowed to make movies, to work, and there is a travel ban.
There is a scene in the film in which the “morality police” stop a young woman for not wearing her hijab properly. In September 2022 while you were filming, Mahsa Amini was killed after being arrested for the same crime. That must have been a shock?
BS: Yes, we didn’t even know if we should continue shooting or not. But all the crew decided together, we believed that it was our duty to finish the film. We knew that there would be consequences for all of us. But any film-maker needs to be with his or her society. We have a very important movement in our country now, the women’s movement, and we have to be part of it.
MM: You cannot be part of a big lie and expect these systematic big lies to change. You must take a step back from the lies. Many people in Iran are doing that now.
Have you thought about leaving Iran?
MM: It is something you think about on the hardest days, because if you left maybe life will be easier? But this is like a war, and on the front in any war, if you leave your side, you lose. You have to be there and fight.
What stage is the trial at?
BS: Interrogation sessions in court, which is inside the famous prison in Iran called Evin. In a couple of weeks, the case will be sent to the main revolutionary court.
Interrogations. That sound terrifying
BS: It’s mixed actually. It’s terrifying but also feels sad and disappointing. They think that we have made a vulgar movie. You can see the difference in thinking.
MM: But they are just 10%. Most people are like us, not like them. But they get to decide for us. They changed our world. Sometimes you feel, not as a film-maker but as a person, any person in Iran, you feel helpless. But there is always hope. And that’s why we want to stay here and make movies. Because there is hope to make change.
What good things have happened this year?
MM: One of the biggest highlights was our film getting a lot of attention and love from people all around the world. That’s heartwarming. It’s the nicest thing that happened this year.
BS: One of the happiest things is our life. Living together and having each other, because it’s not easy to stay and fight in this way alone. The best part of our life is having each other, fighting together and continuing together.
What are your hopes for 2025?
MM: Can we say freedom for everyone in the world? Freedom is a good thing to wish for.
