The Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi, who made herself known worldwide with the comic strip and the film “Persepolis”, announced on Monday that she was refusing the Legion of Honor, denouncing “a hypocritical attitude of France towards of Iran” particularly in the allocation of visas.
Arriving in France in 1994, naturalized in 2006, the 55-year-old director was promoted to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor last July. A decoration that she decided to “decline” because of her “principles” and her “attachment” to her “homeland of birth”, she explains in a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati , published on Instagram.
“I cannot ignore what I perceive as a hypocritical attitude of France towards Iran,” she adds, refuting any “contempt” towards the institution that distinguished her.
In a video posted a few hours later on the social network, the artist evokes a “mark of solidarity with the Iranians, especially with women and with Iranian youth, but also with (his) French compatriots held hostage in Iran” .
“For a while, I have really struggled to understand France's policy towards Iran,” she continues, regretting that “young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists, are are refused visas”, including tourist visas, while children of “Iranian oligarchs” “walk around Paris as in Saint-Tropez without this posing any problem”.
“When you have a people fighting for democracy (…) you have to support them”
According to her, “supporting the women's revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos with victims or celebrities during commemorations of the death of Mahsa Amini”, a young woman arrested for violating the Islamic Republic's strict dress code and whose death triggered a vast protest movement in 2022.
“The Iranians do not need communication, we need concrete actions,” argues Marjane Satrapi. “The refusal of the Legion of Honor is in no way an action or a thought against France. On the contrary, I deeply love this country that is mine,” she insists, wishing “that France remains true to itself.” “I will be honored when all the defenders of freedom are at my side,” she concludes.
Contacted by AFP, Marjane Satrapi explained that the presentation of her Legion of Honor was to take place in January. “When you have a people fighting for democracy (…) you have to support them,” she said.
