#HairForFreedom: French actresses cut hair in support of protests in Iran

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Some French actresses appear in a video released on Wednesday (5) in support of the protests that have been taking place in Iran. In the images, stars like Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard and Isabelle Huppert appear cutting a lock of their own hair.

The #HairForFreedom (Hair for Freedom, in free translation) references Mahsa Amini, who died at age 22 while being detained by the Iranian moral police. She was accused of wearing the veil inappropriately, leaving strands of hair showing, which has been prohibited there since the 1979 Revolution, which opened up space for the theocratic regime of the ayatollahs.

The act of cutting strands of her own hair has been repeated in several protests against the young woman’s death, which have spread across Iran and other countries around the world. In the Muslim country, human rights activists have been urging women to publicly remove their veils in protest of the dress code.

In the campaign video, Berenice Bejo, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Isabelle Adjani, Jane Birkin and Mélanie Laurent, among many others, also appear in the video. The actresses are spreading the hashtag on their social media.

“To the brave women and men of Iran who are changing the world right now, fighting for freedom,” Marion Cotillard wrote in the video’s caption. “We’re on your side. #HairForFreedom”

Oscar winner for “Piaf – A Hymn to Love” (2007), she also published an explanation on the theme that has been used in publications about the campaign. “Mahsa Amini was a 22-year-old girl,” the text reads. “On September 13, she was arrested and beaten to death by the police. She was only accused of wearing her veil inappropriately. She died from letting a few strands of hair show. Her death outraged and moved Iran and the world. “

“Since the death of Mahsa Amini, which took place on September 16, the Iranian people, with women in the lead, have been protesting against the risk of their lives,” it continues. “These people only expect access to the most essential freedoms. These women and men are asking for our support. Their courage and their dignity compel us.”

“It is impossible not to repeatedly denounce this terrible repression”, he says. “There are already dozens of men and women dead, including children. The prisons only increase the number of prisoners already illegally detained and often tortured. We therefore decided to respond to the call that was made to us by also cutting some of our strands.”

“Because their fight is ours”, he concludes. “The one we must lead for a fairer and freer world.”

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