 Promotional poster for film “Iranium” |
Canadian officials are reversing course and have confirmed plans for a screening of the movie “Iranium,” which had been scheduled earlier this week but was canceled amid threats to the event and a report of protest from the Iranian embassy.
At the time, film director Alex Trainman said it appeared Iran’s leaders wanted to snuff the message in the film.
“That Iranian leaders would try to stifle free speech in North America perfectly displays the distinct difference in values instilled in Iran versus the West,” said Traiman.
“Attempting to cancel the screening shows that the Iranian regime is afraid of the film’s content and the repercussions they may face from Americans and Canadians following its release. It also goes to show how fragile the current leadership structure in Iran actually is,” Traiman added.
But a statement today obtained from Canadian Minister of Heritage James Moore confirmed that the screening will happen, although an exact date and time weren’t announced.
The statement explained that Prime Minister Stephen Harper dispatched a diplomatic note to Iran citing the freedoms enjoyed in Canada, including the core value of freedom of expression.
The statement said Canadian ministers were infuriated Canada apparently was submitting to pressure from Iran to curb the nation’s freedoms.
Moore said the movie will be shown in a federal building as it had been planned.
“This movie will be shown, the agreement will be kept and this movie ‘Iranium’ will be shown at Library and Archives Canada. We will not be moving it to a different facility, we’re not bending to any pressure,” said Moore.
“People need to be kept safe, but we don’t back down to people who try to censor people by threats of violence,” he continued. “Canada does not accept attempts from the Iranian Embassy to dictate what films will and will not be shown in Canada.”
The previously scheduled presentation was halted on the combination of Iranian protests and the discovery of two suspicious packages at the planned screening location.
Traiman called the perspective refreshing.
“It has been a principle of the Iranian government to stifle free speech inside Iran. I am glad that the regime will not get away with attempts to do the same in North America,” he said.
“Iranium” is narrated by Iranian actress and Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo.
The film purports to document the development of Iran’s suspected nuclear program, beginning with the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the ideology installed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khomeini. It accuses the Iranian leadership of using terror as a tool of policy, beginning with the 444-day seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, through Iran’s suspected insurgent actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The film also details the Iranian crackdown on protesters following last year’s presidential elections and outlines possible scenarios the greater Middle East and the Western world may face should Iran cross the nuclear threshold.
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