Dariush Mehrjui’s Support for Popular Athletes and Artists
Dariush Mehrjui, the director and screenwriter, in a letter addressed to Ali Karimi, Ali Daei, and Elnaz Rekabi, which he sent to BBC Persian, has stated that he admires the courage of these athletes in standing with the people of Iran and their rightful demands. He also expressed condolences to the people over the tragedy of the killing of innocent teenagers and young people, and before signing, he wrote, ‘In unison and with you.’
Ali Karimi and Ali Daei, stars of Iranian football, have repeatedly defended the nationwide protests in Iran. Elnaz Rekabi, a climber, also participated in the Asian Championships in Seoul without a hijab, which led many Iranians to praise her courage, and despite her securing the fourth place in Asia, they called her a champion.
Since the start of the protests in Iran, now in its sixth week, many well-known figures in cinema, art, and literature have supported the protesters. However, those who remained silent or did not take a stance against the Iranian government faced severe criticism from the protesters.