“The refusal of the Legion of Honor is in no way an action or a thought against France,” specifies the director, regretting that “young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists, are being refused visas.” .
The Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi, who made herself known worldwide with the comic strip and the film Persepolis, announced on Monday January 13 that she was refusing the Legion of Honor, denouncing « a hypocritical attitude of France towards Iran » particularly in the granting 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 his « principles » and its « attachment » to his « 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 France's hypocritical attitude towards Iran »she adds, refuting everything « contempt » towards the institution that distinguished her.
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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 now, I have really struggled to understand France's policy towards Iran. »she continues, regretting that « young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists are refused visas »including tourists, while children« Iranian oligarchs » with « stroll in Paris as in Saint-Tropez without this posing any problem ».
-Need for “concrete actions”
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 sparked a vast protest movement in 2022. « Iranians don't 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.
France
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