Members of Iran’s opposition movement have been quick to react to the news that a movie is being filmed in Iran about the postelection unrest and the violent death of Neda Agha Soltan.
They have been targeting Leyla Otadi, the actress who is due to play the role of Neda. Otadi’s website was hacked and a bloody picture of Neda was posted on her site.
A Facebook group called "Those Opposed To Leyla Otadi" has already attracted more than 7,000 people as fans. The page says the Iranian government is trying to cover up Neda's death by creating a film that suggests her death was part of a scenario executed by the CIA.
Bloggers have also been criticizing Otadi for accepting the role of Neda and working with “the murderers of Iranian citizens” and of ignoring “the blood that was spilled” last year during the postelection crackdown.
UPDATE: Iran's Fars news agency, which is said to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported today that Otadi's role has nothing to do with Neda Agha Soltan and that the movie she's set to play in is a crime movie that does not explore the postelection unrest. Fars says another actress is due to play Neda in another movie that has received authorization from the authorities.
Otadi herself has not yet reacted to the controversy.
-- Golnaz Esfandiari
They have been targeting Leyla Otadi, the actress who is due to play the role of Neda. Otadi’s website was hacked and a bloody picture of Neda was posted on her site.
A Facebook group called "Those Opposed To Leyla Otadi" has already attracted more than 7,000 people as fans. The page says the Iranian government is trying to cover up Neda's death by creating a film that suggests her death was part of a scenario executed by the CIA.
Bloggers have also been criticizing Otadi for accepting the role of Neda and working with “the murderers of Iranian citizens” and of ignoring “the blood that was spilled” last year during the postelection crackdown.
UPDATE: Iran's Fars news agency, which is said to be close to the Revolutionary Guard, reported today that Otadi's role has nothing to do with Neda Agha Soltan and that the movie she's set to play in is a crime movie that does not explore the postelection unrest. Fars says another actress is due to play Neda in another movie that has received authorization from the authorities.
Otadi herself has not yet reacted to the controversy.
-- Golnaz Esfandiari