Cinema: "No Bears" in Ilanz

The feature film by the multi-award-winning Iranian filmmaker tells two parallel love stories and sheds light on the topic of censorship and artistic restrictions in Iran. Despite a ban on his profession and political repression, Panahi creates a body of work that critically questions both Iranian politics and social traditions. The film plays with the boundary between fiction and reality and shows how political circumstances can influence and limit art.

Followed by a discussion with the Iranian writer Pegah Ahmadi, moderated by Dorothea Schiewer (KOFF/swisspeace).

During the 4th Ilanzer Sommer, the focus is on the diversity of voices and freedom of expression. How is an opinion formed? How is fake news detected? How much courage does it take to express one's opinion in one's own neighbourhood, at the regulars' table, in Iran or as a woman in India? Where else can this be done and where should it be? Should we remain silent for the sake of peace, or should dissent be avoided? It is complex, opinions on it are diverse. The topic is sent into rooms, into conversations, onto screens, on flipcharts and post-its, into texts, into discussions, on walks and in poetry slams. People listen, talk and practice.