Keywan Karimi

Karimi's film-making style is part inspired by the Situationist International movement, as well as Guy Debord and Raoul Vaneigem. His films examine and critique the roots of radical life in society.[http://www.puntodevistafestival.com/en/noticias.asp?IdNoticia=399 Raoul Vaneigem - The wall is a mirror]{{Cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/10/akhmatova-mayakovsky-keywan-karimi-iran-151020083744017.html|title=Akhmatova, Mayakovsky, Keywan Karimi and me|last=|first=|date=|website=www.aljazeera.com|publisher=}}

==Filmography==

• "Broken Border" is a documentary film about smuggling petrol at Iranian Kurdistan borders with Iraq. It won the special Juries Award in Tolfa[http://www.civitafilmcommission.it/inglese/news_articolo34_pag5.html TolfaShortFilmFestival: Winners] Mostremp[http://mostremp.cat/edicions-anteriors Mostremp Cinema Rural al Pallars] and Leiden Film Festival. It received the Best Documentary Film Award in Filofest Slovenia, FIC Vagón Mexico,[http://diario.mx/Espectaculos/2012-10-21_2247006c/concluye-festival-de-cortometrajes/ Concluye Festival de FIC Vagon Cortometrajes 2012, Mejor documental Marze Shekaste direction Kayvan Karimi] and received the Silver Aleph at the 13th Beirut film festival.[http://www.beirutfilmfestival.org/portfolio/broken-border/ Beirut Film Festival]
• "The Adventure of Married Couples" has participated in more than 40 film festivals[http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/sections_and_films/7/613121/in 61st San Sebastian Film Festival] such as the San Sebastian, Zurich, and Fribourg International Film Festival.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fiff.ch/en/about/previous-festival-editions/27th-edition.html |title=27th edition {{!}} 2013 {{!}} FIFF {{!}} Fribourg International Film Festival |access-date=2015-12-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202164312/http://fiff.ch/en/about/previous-festival-editions/27th-edition.html |archive-date=2016-02-02 |url-status=dead }} It won several prizes, including an award at the 18th Festival La Fila de Cortometrajes and SURrealidades Festival in Colombia.[http://www.surrealidades.com/index.php/using-joomla/extensions/components/content-component/article-categories/150-acta-de-jurados-ganadores-6to-surrealidades-2014 SURrealidades Film Festival] This eleven-minute black and white film without dialogue is a story of the everyday life of a labouring couple based on a story by Italo Calvino.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/Plagiarism-allegations-mar-Asha-Jaoar-Majhe-success/articleshow/48002224.cms TOI - Plagiarism was success!]
• "Writing on the City" is a 60-minute documentary film about Graffiti in Tehran. Its production began in 2012 and it was completed in August 2015. The film was shown at several film festivals such as: [http://www.puntodevistafestival.com/en/ultima_edicion.asp? Punto de vista film festival] (Spain), where it won a Special mention prize, Visions du Réel documentary [https://web.archive.org/web/20160808152111/https://www.visionsdureel.ch/en/film/film/show/writing-on-the-city film festival] (Switzerland), [http://festivales.buenosaires.gob.ar/2016/bafici/en/pelicula/224/writing-on-the-city Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema] (Argentina), [http://www.montpellierdanse.com/programme-montpellier-danse/cinema Montpellier Film Festival] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160727210418/http://www.montpellierdanse.com/programme-montpellier-danse/cinema |date=2016-07-27 }} (France). The documentary was also screened in August 2016 at the Filmes do Homem International Documentary Film Festival in Portugal.{{Cite web|url=http://filmesdohomem.pt/sinopses.php#writtenonthecity|title=Filmes do Homem|website=filmesdohomem.pt|access-date=2016-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815000554/http://filmesdohomem.pt/sinopses.php#writtenonthecity|archive-date=2016-08-15|url-status=dead}}
• Karimi new film cleared by revolutionary guard when he was in jail, it was in post production and archive photo of "Rashid" project was delete.
• "Drum", Karimi's first fiction film whose production began in the spring of 2016, was premiered at the competition section of the Venice International Film Festival. Drum depicts the story of a lawyer whose life got completely changed after receiving a package. All the events of the film occur in Tehran city in a dreamlike atmosphere with the black and white images. "Drum" was adapted from a book with the same name, written by Ali-Morad Fadaei-Nia.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sicvenezia.it/3860/edizione-2016/film-2016/drum/?lang=en|title=Drum {{!}} Venice International Film Critics' Week|last=Critica|first=Settimana Internazionale della|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=2016-07-27|archive-date=2016-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730114014/http://www.sicvenezia.it/3860/edizione-2016/film-2016/drum/?lang=en|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/venice-critics-week-new-film-from-iranian-director-keywan-karimi-who-was-sentenced-to-jail-and-223-lashes-1201821964/|title=Venice Critics' Week: New Film from Iranian Director Who Was Sentenced to Jail and 223 Lashes|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|date=2016-07-25|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-17}}
• "Do you know anything about Omid?" is a feature fiction film whose script Karimi worked on during his prison sentences and whose final draft he finished when in Paris. The project was selected for Cannes Film Festival for the La Fabrique du cinema section.[https://www.lescinemasdumonde.com/en/la-fabrique/2020/projet/do-you-know-anything-about-omid La Fabrique 2020 selection] Project was present in CineMart co-production program in International Film Festival Rotterdam.[https://iffr.com/en/introducing-do-you-know-anything-about-omid CineMart 2021 selection]

The Revolutionary Guard Corps arrested Keywan on December 14, 2013. They also confiscated his hard drives and other material and was taken to Evin Prison where he was interrogated and kept in solitary confinement for two weeks. On December 26, 2013 Keywan was released on $100,000 bail.[http://www.lemonde.fr/cinema/article/2015/10/25/condamne-a-six-ans-de-prison-le-cineaste-iranien-keywan-karimi-s-attend-a-tout_4796570_3476.html LE MONDE - L’« histoire kafkaïenne » d’un cinéaste iranien condamné à six ans de prison et 223 coups de fouet] Between March 2014 and September 2015 Keywan made eight court appearances to fight his case. Regardless of any of the evidence he provided, on October 13, 2015 he was sentenced by the Islamic Revolutionary Court to six years imprisonment and 223 lashings for “propagating against the ruling system” and “insulting religious sanctities, Accused of insulting the regime after a music clip and documentary film. "Writing on the City" Is a 60 minutes documentary film which employs the unusual and unique angle of focusing on slogans written on the wall and Graffiti in Tehran city.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/iran-karimi-keywan-jail-1.3270312 CBCNEWS - Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi sentenced to 6 years in jail, 223 lashes]

• On 30 October 2015, a group of well-known Philosophy, Sociologist and Human Rights activist wrote letter with subject “Poetry, a crime against the state”.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kedistan.net/2015/10/30/keywan-karimi-cineaste-iranien-condamne-au-fouet/ |title=Poetry, a crime against the state : Keywan Karimi, cinéaste iranien condamné au fouet |access-date=2016-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210223646/http://www.kedistan.net/2015/10/30/keywan-karimi-cineaste-iranien-condamne-au-fouet/ |archive-date=2015-12-10 |url-status=dead }}
• On 19 October 2015 Le Conseil d’Administration de L’ARP,{{Cite web |url=http://www.larp.fr/home/?p=12221 |title=L'ARP : SOUTIEN A KEYWAN KARIMI |access-date=2016-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151205132126/http://www.larp.fr/home/?p=12221 |archive-date=2015-12-05 |url-status=dead }} 24 October Associazioni autoriali del settore audiovisivo (100autori),[http://www.100autori.it/ 100autori] 29 October Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani (SNGCI){{Cite web |url=http://www.cinemagazineweb.it/senza-categoria/il-sngci-in-mobilitazione-per-karimi/ |title=Anche il Sngci per Karimi |access-date=2016-01-18 |archive-date=2020-09-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923193635/http://www.cinemagazineweb.it/senza-categoria/il-sngci-in-mobilitazione-per-karimi/ |url-status=dead }} publish different letter in defense keywan karimi.
• On 21 October 2015, Columbia University professor Hamid Dabashi wrote an article that was about Writing on the City film and his travel to Russia where he met Karimi. Dabashi compared Stalinist vulgarities with Iran current situation.[http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/10/akhmatova-mayakovsky-keywan-karimi-iran-151020083744017.html AL JAZEERA - Akhmatova, Mayakovsky, Keywan Karimi and me. The sheer vulgarity of flogging a young film-maker for making films in Iran]
• On 3 November 2015, 45 European Parliament Member (MEPs) various political groups sign petition in support of karimi.[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20151103IPR01015/Keywan-Karimi-condemned-to-six-years-in-prison-and-223-lashes-over-his-films European Parliament Press Release]
• On 12 November Iran Human Rights and 100 Autori cinema association organized press conference in Casa del Cinema for discuss about Karimi and support him by sending a letter to Italian Prime Minister.[http://lepersoneeladignita.corriere.it/2015/11/13/iran-lappello-di-amnesty-international-renzi-parli-a-rouhani-dei-prigionieri-di-coscienza/ Corriere Della Sera - Iran, le Ong per i diritti umani: “Renzi parli a Rouhani dei prigionieri di coscienza”] Mohsen Makhmalbaf, Daniele Vicari, Greta Scarano, Jose Luis Rebordinos and Claudia Gerini sent video message to the press conference.[https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC_pGKC__eoyJx4q7ruv9u6Q Iran human rights - Video by filmmaker for Keywan Keywan][http://arabpress.eu/iran-mohsen-makhmalbaf-ogni-giorno-almeno-due-persone-vengono-uccise-per-mano-del-governo/70495/ Arab Press - Iran, Mohsen Makhmalbaf: “Ogni giorno almeno due persone vengono uccise per mano del governo”]
• On 19 November 2015 San Sebastian Film Festival make protest by statement and Petition for calculate signature from people around world.[http://www.sansebastianfestival.com/2015/news/1/5632/in San Sebastian Petition: In defense of the Iranian director Keywan Karimi]
• On 6 December 2015 more than 130 Iranian documentary filmmaker wrote letter to To Head of the Iranian Judiciary Mr.Sadeq Larijani.[http://culturebox.francetvinfo.fr/cinema/evenements/soutien-des-cineastes-iraniens-au-realisateur-keywan-karimi-lourdement-condamne-231949 Soutien des cinéastes iraniens au réalisateur Keywan Karimi lourdement condamné]
• On 15 October Iranian Writers Association[http://www.bbc.com/persian/arts/2015/10/151015_kanoon_poets_statement BBCPersian - Iranian Writers Association] and Iran's Pen[http://iranianpen.com/%D8%A8%D8%A7%DB%8C%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C/1414 Iran's Pen - Protest to Keywan Karimi Sentence] protest keywan Sentence.
• On 22 December 2015 Pen International ask the Iranian authorities to cancel Keywan Karimi prison and flogging. They calls all member and Pen branch to send appeals for Iranian Government.[http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/iran-upcoming-appeal-of-prominent-kurdish-filmmaker-keywan-karimi/ PEN International calls on the Iranian authorities] in 11 January letter of writer and filmmaker published in Pen official website.[http://www.pen-international.org/newsitems/iran-over-650-filmmakers-and-writers-from-around-the-world-call-for-charges-against-keywan-karimi-to-be-dropped/ Pen International - Mare than 650 filmmakers and writers from around the world have signed a letter to the Head of the Iranian Judiciary]
• On 9 December 2015 Punto de Vista International Documentary Film Festival decide to make 223 words film[http://www.puntodevistafestival.com/blog/?p=1152 223 words in defence of Keywan Karimi] that it is response of film-makers from all around the world in defence of his situation.[http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2015/12/07/actualidad/1449506824_452824.html EL PAÍS - El festival Punto de vista lanza una campaña de apoyo a un cineasta iraní] Director like Agnès Varda, Andrés Duque, James Benning, Montxo Armendáriz, Victor Kossakovsky, Lynne Sachs, Alan Berliner, Patricio Guzmán, Eugenio Polgovsky, Fernando Arrabal, Lynne Sachs, Basilio Martín Patino participated in film.[http://enfilme.com/notas-del-dia/video-agnes-varda-participa-en-223-palabras-filme-colectivo-dedicado-a-keywan-karimi ENFILM - Video. Agnès Varda participa en ‘223 palabras’, filme colectivo dedicado a Keywan Karimi]
• On 7 January 2016 more than 668 filmmak from different country signature a letter to Head of the Iranian Judiciary Mr. Larijani ask him to act immediately in the exercise of him duties so that this punishment is cancelled and Keywan Karimi can travel without fear and continue his work.[http://www.la-srf.fr/article/lettre-ouverte-au-chef-de-la-magistrature-iranienne-pour-la-lib%C3%A9ration-imm%C3%A9diate-de-keywan La SRF Société des réalisateurs de films - Lettre ouverte au Chef de la magistrature iranienne pour la libération immédiate de Keywan Karimi] this letter signature by Abderrahmane Sissako, Claude Lanzmann, Dominik Moll, Jean-Jacques Beineix, Nicolas Philibert, Julie Bertucelli, Michel Ocelot, Pascale Ferran, Catherine Corsini, Claire Denis, Antonin Peretjatko, Danny Degrave.[http://www.lefigaro.fr/cinema/2016/01/08/03002-20160108ARTFIG00074-une-petition-soutient-le-cineaste-iranien-keywan-karimi.php LE FIGARO - Une pétition soutient le cinéaste iranien Keywan Karimi]
• On 22 January 2016 Amnesty International start a campaign[https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/3300/2016/en/ AMNESTY - IRAN: SIX YEARS IN JAIL FOR IRANIAN FILMMAKER: KEYWAN KARIMI] and petition in defense of Keywan Karimi.[https://www.es.amnesty.org/actua/acciones/iran-cineasta-condenado-prision-feb16/ AMNESTY PETITION : CINEASTA IRANÍ CONDENADO A SEIS AÑOS DE PRISIÓN Y A 223 LATIGAZOS]
• In March 2016, 3 Oscar-Winning directors, Bernardo Bertolucci, Roberto Benigni and Nicola Piovani supported him by signing a letter.{{Cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2016/03/17/gli-autori-italiani-contro-le-frustate-al-regista-iraniano52.html?ref=search|title=Gli autori italiani contro le frustate al regista iraniano - la Repubblica.it|date=17 March 2016 |access-date=2016-08-15}}
• On 27 March 2016, an event was holding in Tokyo named "Freedom of Speech" by the Japanese activists. 2 of the Karimi's short films (The Adventure of Married Couples and Broken Border) were screened at this event. Noam Chomsky also sent a message to this event for Keywan Karimi. He has told: "Very pleased to learn about the event featuring the courageous Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi, and protesting his disgraceful and criminal treatment on the part of the state authorities."{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/events/170953196614911/|title=表現の自由 / freedom of speech|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-08-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/03/23/films/tokyo-cafe-screen-controversial-short-films-iranian-director-keywan-karimi/#.V7Hiuvl94dX|title=Tokyo cafe to screen controversial short films by Iranian director Keywan Karimi {{!}} The Japan Times|date=23 March 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://tokyospring.blogspot.de/2016/02/March27-from-noam-chomsky.html|title=Message from Noam Chomsky|last=|first=|date=|website=tokyospring.blogspot.de|publisher=|access-date=2016-08-15}}
• On the eve of the 69th Cannes Film Festival, (4 May 2016) the documentary section of the Festival jury called attention to the fate of Karimi. In their declaration they have asked for the "International efforts must continue to have his sentence overturned". the statement also said: "The L’OEil d’Or jury has drawn attention to the fate of Iranian filmmaker, Keywan Karimi, sentenced by an Appeal Court in February 2016 to one year’s imprisonment, 223 lashes and a fine of 20 million rials for his recent documentary film, Writing on the City, about the graffiti and messages written on the walls of Teheran from the 1979 revolution to the 2009 political movement. He is accused of “insulting sanctities” for a love scene that he denies filming and “propaganda” against the government. International efforts must continue to have his sentence overturned and demand the lifting of all sanctions and freedom for artistic creation worldwide."{{Cite web|url=http://www.scam.fr/detail/ArticleId/4128/Documentaries-at-Cannes|title=Documentaries at Cannes|website=Scam.fr|date=4 May 2016|access-date=2016-08-15}}
• On 7 May 2016, WAM Festival Mozart in Italy in cooperation with Amnesty showed their solidarity with Karimi and protested against his sentence, by playing the Dimitri Ashkenazy and the Endellion String Quartet.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wamrovereto.com/wam-festival-mozart-per-amnesty-international/|title=WAM Festival Mozart per Amnesty International - WAM Rovereto|date=2016-04-11|language=it-IT|access-date=2016-08-15}}
• On 27 May 2016, The University of Valencia with the participation of Amnesty in Spain screened the documentary Writing on the City to show their support and solidarity with Keywan Karimi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.uv.es/uvweb/college/en/news-release/la-nau-hosts-presentation-a-documentary-teheran-caused-imprisonment-its-director-1285846070123/Noticia.html?id=1285969712174|title=La Nau hosts the presentation of a documentary about Teheran that caused the imprisonment of its director|website=www.uv.es|access-date=2016-08-15}}
• On 13 May 2016, more than 30 major European film organizations like The Academy of Italian Cinema, L'ARP, Venice Biennial, Cannes Festival,100autori.etc, appealed to the Iranian government to grant clemency to Karimi. They also have said: "It is completely unacceptable that through the simple act of expressing his artistic and critical outlook, Karimi should be on the list of artists, journalists and private citizens whose freedom – if not their life itself – has been taken by the Iranian authorities."{{Cite web|url=http://www.scam.fr/detail/ArticleId/4141/Clemency-for-Keywan-Karimi|title=Clemency for Keywan Karimi|website=Scam.fr|date=13 May 2016|access-date=2016-08-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.larp.fr/home/?p=12687|title=LA GR CE POUR KEYWAN KARIMI {{!}} L'ARP|website=www.larp.fr|access-date=2016-08-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813002950/http://www.larp.fr/home/?p=12687|archive-date=2016-08-13|url-status=dead}}
• A graffiti page named "Writing on the City - Writing for Keywan. Un graffito per Keywan Karimi" was started in Italy after Karimi was sentenced to imprisonment and flogging. They called the members of the page to draw graffiti for supporting Karimi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/Writing-on-the-City-Writing-for-Keywan-Un-graffito-per-Keywan-Karimi-939633189415718/|title=Writing on the City - Writing for Keywan. Un graffito per Keywan Karimi. {{!}} Facebook|website=www.facebook.com|access-date=2016-08-15}}
• French filmmakers support.{{Cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/cinema/nouvelles/201510/20/01-4911957-des-cineastes-sinquietent-du-sort-de-keywan-karimi.php|title=Des cinéastes s'inquiètent du sort de Keywan Karimi {{!}} Nouvelles|last=|first=|newspaper=La Presse |date=20 October 2015|website=|publisher=|language=fr-CA}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.lefilmfrancais.com/cinema/125097/les-cineastes-francais-inquiets-pour-le-realisateur-iranien-keywan-karimi|title=Les cinéastes français inquiets pour le réalisateur iranien Keywan Karimi|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=}}
• German filmmakers support.{{Cite web|url=http://www.deutsche-filmakademie.de/no_cache/herzlich-willkommen/aktuelles/meldung.html?tx_news_pi1%5Bnews%5D=456&tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail|title=German filmmakers support|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVKpd2-ACMI José Luis Rebordinos, The artistic director of the International Film Festival of San Sebastian in Spain]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw-Yv7NJaJI Daniele Vicari, Italian director, screenwriter and producer]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uy6pXY-mZy8 Claudia Gerini, Italian actress]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01TNFhS8gkY Greta Scarano, Italian actress]

He has been informed by the Appeals Court that five years of his six-year sentence have been suspended, but that he has to serve the one remaining year in jail, plus undergo 223 lashes and pay a fine of 20 million rials. The ruling is final and cannot be appealed.[http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/iran-karimi-keywan-jail-1.3458180 Appeals Court : Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi has 6-year sentence reduced]{{Cite web|url=http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/8d27cb62fc9c447e8a494bffafdbedad/iran-filmmaker-says-appeals-court-gave-him-1-year-sentence|title=Iran filmmaker says appeals court gave him 1-year sentence|last=|first=|date=|website=|publisher=|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160223171450/http://www.bigstory.ap.org/article/8d27cb62fc9c447e8a494bffafdbedad/iran-filmmaker-says-appeals-court-gave-him-1-year-sentence|archive-date=2016-02-23|url-status=dead}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{commons}}

• {{IMDb name|5344040|Keywan Karimi}}
• [https://vimeo.com/115234437 The Children of Depth, Kudakane Amagh on Vimeo]
• [https://vimeo.com/64127277 The Adventure of married couple, Zan va Shohare Karegar on Vimeo]
• [https://vimeo.com/115089412 Broken Border, Marze Shekaste, Senuri Shekaw on Vimeo]

{{List of political prisoners of Iran}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Karimi, Keywan}}

Category:1985 births

Category:Iranian documentary filmmakers

Category:Iranian film directors

Category:Iranian prisoners and detainees

Category:Living people

Category:Iranian Kurdish people

Category:People from Baneh

Category:Film people from Tehran

Category:Persian-language film directors

Category:People convicted of spreading propaganda against the system by the Islamic Republic of Iran

Category:Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Tehran alumni

Category:Political prisoners in Iran