Iran bans American films

[Illuminattile]

Iran bans American films

Thursday 20 October 2005, 17:02 Makka Time, 14:02 GMT

Iran has banned American and other films that promote Western culture in a move to combat what the Islamic government calls attempts to damage and humiliate eastern traditions and culture.

Iranian state-run television said on Thursday that the country's Supreme Cultural Revolutionary Council, headed by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, issued the ban on foreign films that promote what were termed "arrogant powers", a propaganda term the Iranians use to refer to the United States.

The ban affects films that deny the existence of God as well as those seen to promote immorality, violence, drug usage, alcohol consumption, secularism, liberalism, anarchy and feminism, the television report said.

The culture minister and the head of national broadcasting were charged with enforcing the ban.

The decision did not mention Iranian movies, which already are censored.

Moviegoer reaction

"It is good bye to those few American movies which we could see sporadically," said Hooshang Rahimi, a moviegoer standing in front of a movie house in downtown Tehran.

"From now on, any of them could be banned because of an alcohol consumption scene or action and thriller theme."

"This is a sign of the beginning of an era of restrictive cultural policies of President Ahmadinejad"

During his presidential campaign, Ahmadinejad promised to confront what he called the Western cultural invasion and promote Islamic culture.

"This is a sign of the beginning of an era of restrictive cultural policies of President Ahmadinejad," said Pouran Golmahammadi, another moviegoer.

During the rule of former reformist president Mohammad Khatami, Iran opened its doors to Hollywood blockbusters such as The Passion of The Christ and The Aviator.

Source

There was a thread discussing the role of Western films in Muslim cultures, so I thought I'd post this.

As a non-Muslim (not to mention a secular liberal) I obviously find it ridiculous. As I see it, it's a perfect example of a state trying to brainwash its people and stop them from ask questions.

I'm interested to see how the board's Muslims feel about this. I'm sure if the U.S. banned any films depicting aspects of Eastern culture, there'd be huge uproar. You can talk about the biased American media, but this is far worse.

And yes, I know it's the actions of one government and not necessarily reflective of Islam as a whole, so don't feel the need to point that out.

 

[EriMakaveli]

I see this as an attempt to preserve the purity of the peoples religions in the peoples minds. Muslums are probibly the most religous peoples on Earth, as in what they would do for their religion. Anyone can say that being a suicide bomber for your religion is easy but wrong, but its not so easy for the bomber. He must give away his life and the lives of others for the good of his country, religion, and beliefs. And I believe that God wants us to be willing to give away are life for others, and for the good of what we love, but not in that way.

A fish cannot die if he doesnt jump onto land..

PS: American films are garbage in terms of moral integrity.

 

[Baukem]

what's wrong with that? im not a muslim but i think its a good call of the government.. those movies are rediculous and known for brainwashing the children as well....

 

[Bassem]

American media is brainwashing american peoples mind
same thing's happenin over iran and here
we all the same

 

[Bassem]

But yo, if im in charge for my coutnries media, not one single western film will be played here, not on national television
plus there's satellite t.v. everywhere, so its all good...its your call.
what ur willing to watch?

 

[Illuminattile]

Films aren't supposed to be manuals on how to live your life. Just because a film shows people being violent or doing drugs doesn't mean it promotes those things.

Does anyone actually have an argument for this, or is it all gonna be "HOLLYWOOD IS MORALLY BANKRUPT!!!"?

 

[S. Fourteen]

what's wrong with that? im not a muslim but i think its a good call of the government.. those movies are rediculous and known for brainwashing the children as well....

what's wrong with banning rap music?

 

[Baukem]

damn ur nuts are salt!!
rap music like 50 cent should be banned
rap music like in music as a resistance form against a capatlistic government shall live on, no matter if its banned or not.

 

[Jokerman]

Films aren't supposed to be manuals on how to live your life.

Fight Club is.

 

[Shahin]

I fucking hate what that country has become.

 

[PuffnScruff]

wow i cant believe what i'm reading in a few posts. why ban movies or music? that would not be living in freedom. films promote art, questions, different points of view, and open closed minded people to new ideas or views.

it seems to me if anyone is trying to brainwash a culture or nation it would be iran.

the problem i see with putting a ban on these movies or even on certain music genres is that it does not stop the art from being created. people in that country could still get their hands on a copy. it will even make more people want to see the films. the country of iran just made more people want to see these type of films

 

[S O F I]

Long live Chairman Mao! What's next, couches will be considered bourgois?

 

[S O F I]

Films aren't supposed to be manuals on how to live your life. Just because a film shows people being violent or doing drugs doesn't mean it promotes those things.

Does anyone actually have an argument for this, or is it all gonna be "HOLLYWOOD IS MORALLY BANKRUPT!!!"?

Your way of thinking is really western.

 

[Jurhum]

The US should invade Iran and liberate its people.

 

[Illuminattile]

The US should invade Iran and liberate its people.

Are you going to offer your opinion or just make flippant comments?

 

[S O F I]

The real issue at hand is that they banned films deemed "feminist". Now, that's a debate spark.

 

[Illuminattile]

The real issue at hand is that they banned films deemed "feminist". Now, that's a debate spark.

True.

"We don't want women getting any ideas about this whole 'equality' thing..."

 

[S O F I]

True.

"We don't want women getting any ideas about this whole 'equality' thing..."

"Women are to be used for homemaking and procreation purposes only."

 

[CoolWaterz]

why do you people act surprised. this is the same country that banned teletubbies cause they were devices of satan and jews.

that country is a disaster. the drug rate amongst young people is through the roof, a deliberate attempt to keep the young peoples minds in control and off the fact that they are being deliberately controlled by people who use religion as a means to get richer and ensure their population lives like dogs.

 

[Baukem]

everyone in favor of invading iran, raise hands now.