Tehran, YJC. Culture Ministry official has slashed Leila Hatami for kissing Gilles Jacob at Cannes Festival, saying it has “tainted” the Iranian image before the world.
Iran’s Culture Ministry’s Deputy in
Parliamentary Affairs has criticized Leila Hatami’s act in the Cannes Festival as
against the Iranian chastity.
The Iranian actress shook hands with and kissed
the 83-year-old Cannes President Gilles Jacob on the red carpet.
"I hope that those who attend international
arenas as Iranian women would be careful about the chastity and dignity of Iranians
so that the image of the Iranian woman is not tainted before the world,” said
Hossein Noushabadi.
He added "If they respect Islamic norms and the
national culture and beliefs of Iran, it would be a desirable thing for Iranian
celebrities to go abroad, but if their presence lacks regard for social values
and ethical criteria, the Iranian nation is not going to accept it.”
Leila Hatami’s act which is rather unprecedented
among Iranian celebrities has found a lot of coverage by media broad as well.
France’s Libération has called it a "scandal in Iran”
while Straits Times says "Iran actress's Cannes kiss sparks ire back home”.
Also ABC has come with a similar headline going "Iranian
actress Leila Hatami's kiss at Cannes Film Festival angers authorities back
home”. Al-Arabiya as well has covered the story.