Urgent Plea from Icons of Cinema: Protect Afghan Creatives from Persecution

Urgent Plea from Icons of Cinema: Protect Afghan Creatives from Persecution

In a powerful plea to the international community, prominent Iranian filmmakers Mohsen and Hana Makhmalbaf, along with producer Jimmy Mulville, are calling for urgent action to safeguard Afghanistan’s creative community. With the Taliban’s return to power, the country’s artists, filmmakers, writers, and performers are facing an unprecedented level of persecution. The Makhmalbafs and Mulville’s open letter to the UK government highlights the risks to Afghan creatives and the importance of preserving Afghanistan’s cultural heritage amidst these challenging times.

The Current Situation: A Creative Crisis in Afghanistan

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country has been thrust into an era of deep uncertainty, particularly for those involved in creative arts. Under the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, artistic expression—especially that which challenges traditional views or showcases the country’s rich cultural diversity—has come under intense scrutiny. Many Afghan filmmakers, writers, and artists have found themselves at risk of arrest, imprisonment, and even death for their work, as the regime seeks to impose harsh censorship on all forms of media.

One of the most immediate consequences of the Taliban’s rule has been the shuttering of cultural institutions, film schools, and theaters across the country. Prominent figures in the Afghan arts scene have gone into hiding or sought refuge abroad, with few safe options left inside the country. The situation has grown dire, with an increasing number of artists and creatives attempting to flee Afghanistan to escape persecution.

Preserving Afghanistan’s Cultural Legacy

Afghanistan has a long and rich history of artistic and cultural achievement, with a diverse tradition of literature, film, music, and visual arts. Prior to the Taliban’s rise to power in 1996, Afghanistan’s film industry was thriving, producing internationally acclaimed films that showcased the country’s complex social and political landscape. One such example is the work of the late filmmaker, Atiq Rahimi, whose novel “The Patience Stone” won prestigious awards after it was adapted into a film.

However, under the Taliban, much of this rich cultural heritage was destroyed. Cinemas were closed, artists were silenced, and the nation’s identity was repressed. After the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Afghanistan’s creative community began to rebuild. The film industry saw a resurgence with filmmakers like the Makhmalbafs, whose movies such as *The Apple* and *The Blackboard* brought international attention to the plight of Afghan women and children. Yet, this revival is now once again under threat as the Taliban seeks to enforce an even stricter regime.

The Call to Action: Protecting Afghan Creatives

In their urgent letter to the UK government, the Makhmalbafs, alongside Mulville, have emphasized the critical need for the international community to provide sanctuary for Afghan artists. The filmmakers, known for their advocacy of human rights and artistic freedom, argue that without immediate intervention, Afghanistan’s creative legacy is at risk of being lost forever. The Makhmalbafs have long been vocal about the plight of Afghan filmmakers, and they have witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of war and repression on the creative community.

• Safe Haven for Artists: The Makhmalbafs and Mulville urge the UK government to establish special asylum programs that prioritize the protection of Afghan artists. This would include facilitating expedited visas for filmmakers, writers, musicians, and other creatives at risk of persecution.
• Global Responsibility: They also call on other countries and international organizations to step up their efforts to provide safe haven for Afghan artists, ensuring that their work can continue to thrive beyond the reach of the Taliban’s repressive policies.
• Safeguarding Cultural Heritage: The filmmakers stress the importance of preserving Afghanistan’s cultural identity by protecting its artists, who are the primary keepers of the nation’s stories and history. Without their work, Afghanistan’s cultural narrative risks being erased or rewritten by those who seek to impose a single, oppressive worldview.

For the UK, the Makhmalbafs and Mulville’s appeal comes at a time when the government has been under pressure to do more for Afghan refugees. While the UK has committed to resettling a significant number of Afghan refugees, the process has been slow and fraught with bureaucratic hurdles. Advocates for Afghan artists argue that a more focused approach is needed to ensure the safety of those whose lives are at risk due to their involvement in the arts.

The Broader Impact of Taliban Rule on Afghan Society

The Taliban’s return to power has had far-reaching consequences not just for the creative community, but for Afghan society as a whole. Under the Taliban, women and girls have faced extreme restrictions, including bans on education, employment, and freedom of movement. The restrictions on cultural expression are part of a broader effort to enforce a totalitarian system that seeks to control every aspect of life in Afghanistan.

As the Taliban’s grip on the country tightens, many people, especially those involved in intellectual and creative pursuits, have been forced to live in fear. Writers, filmmakers, and musicians who had once been celebrated for their bold and progressive ideas are now seen as enemies of the state. The fear of arrest or execution looms over anyone attempting to engage in cultural production that challenges the Taliban’s rigid interpretation of Islam.

International Responses and Refugee Challenges

While some international organizations have provided humanitarian assistance to Afghan refugees, the support for Afghan creatives has been more limited. Refugee programs often focus on basic survival needs such as food, shelter, and medical care, while the unique needs of artists—those whose work represents the soul of a society—are sometimes overlooked. Efforts to resettle Afghan filmmakers and artists must go beyond simple asylum and involve a concerted effort to help these individuals continue their work in exile, whether through grants, training programs, or support for diaspora communities.

The global art world has long recognized the role that creatives play in shaping cultural and political discourse. From the works of exiled Russian authors during the Soviet era to the art produced by Syrian refugees in the wake of their country’s civil war, artists in exile have often been at the forefront of raising awareness about human rights abuses and social justice issues. Afghan creatives, many of whom were educated abroad or trained in more liberal environments, are poised to do the same. However, their ability to do so depends on their ability to find sanctuary and resources to continue their work.

Preserving Afghanistan’s Future through Art

The Makhmalbafs and Mulville’s plea serves as a reminder that the protection of cultural expression is not a luxury, but a necessity in preserving a nation’s identity and history. As the world watches Afghanistan descend into deeper conflict, the preservation of its cultural heritage through its artists has never been more important. These creatives hold the keys to the stories, struggles, and dreams of the Afghan people, and it is crucial that the international community does not turn a blind eye to their plight.

The United Kingdom, with its long history of providing refuge to those at risk, has an opportunity to lead by example in protecting Afghan artists. This effort must be coupled with broader international initiatives to ensure that Afghan culture is not lost to the ravages of tyranny. By offering sanctuary to Afghan creatives, the world can help preserve not only their art, but the very essence of Afghan society itself.

Conclusion: A Global Imperative to Act

The plight of Afghan creatives is a reflection of the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Afghanistan under Taliban rule. The international community has a moral obligation to support those whose lives are threatened because of their artistic expression. The Makhmalbafs’ appeal for sanctuary is not just a call for immediate relief; it is a clarion call to safeguard the cultural diversity and history of Afghanistan, which may otherwise be lost forever. Protecting Afghan creatives is not only an act of compassion—it is an act of preserving the cultural fabric of a nation in crisis.

For more information about efforts to support Afghan refugees and artists, visit UNHCR and Amnesty International.

See more CNET Live