Iranian film director Jafar Panahi has left Iran for the first time in 14 years to visit his daughter in France, according to his lawyer. Panahi was released on bail in February after spending nearly seven months in a Tehran prison. In 2010, he was sentenced to six years in prison for “propaganda against the system” and banned from leaving the country. But after serving his sentence, he was allowed to obtain a passport and leave Iran. His lawyer stated that there are no longer any open court cases against him.
Panahi is a highly acclaimed filmmaker whose films have won awards at international festivals. In 2000, he won the Golden Lion at the Venice Mostra for “The Circle,” and in 2015, he won the Golden Bear at the Berlinale for “Taxi Tehran.” He also won the Best Screenplay Award at the Cannes Film Festival for “Three Faces” in 2018. His latest film, “No Bears,” premiered at the Venice Mostra last year while Panahi was imprisoned and won the special jury prize.
Panahi’s wife posted a photo on Instagram showing the couple at an airport ahead of their trip to France. Although it has not been specified how long Panahi will spend in France, his lawyer said he traveled to visit his daughter, who lives in that country. Panahi’s departure from Iran is significant news, as his arrest and imprisonment in the past have been the subject of international criticism and led to allegations of censorship in Iranian cinema.