Cinema Without Borders
Shot secretly inside with minimal equipment, it tells the story of ordinary citizens trapped in systems beyond their control — an allegory for life under censorship. Despite restrictions and constant surveillance, Panahi has repeatedly found ways to make films in defiance of his ban, using small crews, hidden cameras, and private homes as his sets. His films, from This Is Not a Film (2011) to Taxi Tehran (2015), are acts of courage disguised as cinema.
His arrival in the U.S. allows these works to be seen and discussed openly — not as distant political statements, but as living art that invites empathy, reflection, and change. For many, seeing Jafar Panahi on American soil is symbolic: it represents the triumph of artistic voice over authoritarian silence. In public appearances across the country, he has spoken about the cost of freedom and the role of the artist in society.
