Iranian actress Laleh Marzban criticised by authorities after Venice award speech

Award and speech

Laleh Marzban received the Orizzonti best actress award at the Venice film festival for her role in Mohsen Gharaei’s Falling House. In her acceptance remarks, delivered in Farsi, she dedicated the prize to the women of Iran, saying they bear a heavy cost for even modest freedoms and urging them not to lose hope.

Official condemnation

The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, a conservative body appointed by Iran’s supreme leader, issued a statement describing Marzban’s remarks as a one-sided portrayal of Iranian society. The council argued that reducing Iranian women to stereotypes favored by Western narratives conflicted with the perceived social mission of art.

Media attacks and calls for discipline

State-affiliated outlets amplified the council’s criticism. A journalist linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting labelled Marzban as two-faced and hypocritical, while another IRIB personality suggested she should have referenced children killed in a February missile strike instead. A Qur’an expert on state TV claimed she had been deceived by enemies and urged authorities to bar her from working in Iran. The Student News Network called on the culture ministry to prevent her return to the country.

Unverified aspects

The source does not confirm whether any legal proceedings have been initiated against Marzban or detail any concrete restrictions on her future work. Further verification of the extent of official actions remains pending.