Audiences will soon have the chance to learn more about Nasrin Sotoudeh and the #FreeNasrin movement. “Nasrin,” a documentary following the Iranian lawyer, human rights activist, and women’s rights leader, has secured distribution. Virgil Films & Entertainment acquired North American rights to the project, which is narrated by Oscar winner Olivia Colman. Deadline broke the news.
Sotoudeh has represented opposition activists and politicians following the 2009 Iranian elections, prisoners sentenced to death for minor crimes, and women appearing in public without wearing the hijab.
In June 2018, a couple years into “Nasrin’s” production, Sotoudeh was arrested for representing women publicly protesting Iran’s compulsory hijab laws. She was sentenced to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes.
“Even in prison, she has continued to challenge the authorities, launching a hunger strike to protest poor health conditions and the risk of COVID-19 in Iranian prisons. Her own health was dangerously compromised as a result,” the source details. Sotoudeh ended the hunger strike last week due to the serious health concerns it has caused.
People all over the world have called for Sotoudeh’s release. The #FreeNasrin social media campaign counts Hillary Clinton, Gloria Steinem, Margaret Atwood, and Christiane Amanpour among its supporters.
Hailing from writer-director Jeff Kaufman, producer Marcia S. Ross, and Floating World Pictures, “Nasrin” was secretly shot over several years in Iran, by women and men who wish to remain anonymous for fear of punishment.
The doc also features interview with journalist Ann Curry, human rights activist and Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, and Sotoudeh’s husband and fellow activist, Reza Khandan.
“With the recent news of Sotoudeh’s grave health condition, it is imperative that Nasrin gets out as soon as possible for more to learn of her situation and her mission,” Virgil CEO Joe Amodei remarked. “To be able to support the freedom of this incredible champion of human rights through the release of this film is a humbling experience.”
Kaufman and Ross added, “We started this documentary because we admired Nasrin Sotoudeh from afar. We felt that her life and work could inform and inspire people around the world and help create a new understanding of an often-misunderstood country. We are still separated by 7,500 miles, but it has been a great privilege to be able close that gap and get to know Nasrin and her equally remarkable husband Reza. They are a disarmingly kind and interesting couple, with two children who would make any parent proud. We are continually in awe of their vision, courage, sacrifice, and resilience.”
The duo continued, “Nasrin always wanted this film to bring attention to other human rights activists and political prisoners in Iran and around the world. Now she herself is in prison under grueling conditions. We hope people will be as impressed and inspired by Nasrin and her story.”
“Nasrin” will virtually screen at GlobeDocs Film Festival next month, with other screenings and events TBA. No word on an official release yet.
