In solidarity with the protesting people in Iran, several German actors cut off their hair in front of the camera.
The video, which was posted on Instagram by actress Meret Becker, among others, on Monday night, is a good two and a half minutes long. In it, Katharina Thalbach, Meret Becker, Lina Beckmann, Ronald Zehrfeld and Jasmin Tabatabai separate strands of hair.
Also on display are Nicolette Krebitz, Melika Foroutan, Daniel Zillmann, Karin Hanczewski, Jördis Triebel, Sandra Hüller, Anne Ratte-Polle and the Swiss Carol Schuler. Around 40 people can gradually be seen in the video. The text says in English: “In solidarity with all the people who are currently protesting in Iran. We take note of you. We stand by your side.”
In Iran, people have been taking to the streets for weeks. The protests were triggered by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in mid-September. The moral police had arrested her because of her allegedly “un-Islamic outfit”. What happened to Amini after that is unclear. The woman fell into a coma and died in a hospital on September 16.
Critics accuse the morality police of using violence; the police deny it. Since the woman’s death, thousands have been demonstrating across the country against the government’s repressive course and the headscarf requirement. Many young women in Iran cut their hair in protest.
Stars from France had also sent a sign of solidarity last week. Around 50 actresses and singers could be seen in a clip. In the video, Oscar winner Juliette Binoche first looked at the camera, said “for freedom”, cut off a tuft of hair and held it up to the camera. Isabelle Huppert and Charlotte Gainsbourg also appeared in the video, which was accompanied by the anthem “Bella Ciao”.
“The Iranian people, especially the women, are demonstrating at the risk of their lives. These people only hope for access to the most basic freedoms. These women, these men are asking for our support,” a text accompanying the video said at the time the Instagram account “soutienfemmesiran”.
Video on Meret Becker’s Instagram channel French video with Juliette Binoche, among others, Jördis Triebel on Instagram Sandra Hüller on Instagram