Franco-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi announced on Instagram that she had refused the Legion of Honor on Monday January 13. “This decision is based on principles that are dear to me and on my attachment to the homeland of my birth, Iran. I cannot ignore what I perceive as a hypocritical attitude of France towards Iran which has forged the other part of my identity”writes the 55-year-old director and author in a letter addressed to the Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati.
Arriving in France in 1994, Marjane Satrapi was naturalized in 2006. Last July, Rachida Dati decided to promote her to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor for her productions and her commitments. The artist, however, “declined” decoration, ensuring that it was not “not an act of contempt”an action against France but the will “to align one’s actions with one’s convictions”.
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The granting of visas criticized
Marjane Satrapi thus criticizes France's current policy towards Iranians, particularly women and young people. In a video still published on the social network, the artist asks for less communication and more action from France. “Young freedom-loving Iranians, dissidents, artists are being refused visas”including tourists, while children “Iranian oligarchs wander around Paris and Saint-Tropez without this posing any problem”she squeaks.
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