"....otherwise you are dead. If you don't speak, if you can't speak your mind, you are dead.'"
Freedom of speech, increasingly seen as one of the most revered values of modern day democracy, is nonetheless still being undermined today by the censorship laws imposed by some governments, including that of the Islamic Republic of Iran. And though one could argue that this freedom is not the absolute right of every individual in the West - there are still laws against some forms of hate speech - when it comes to free speech western comedians really are the ones with the blank cheque. Generally. Consequently, the sight of an Iranian comedian flourishing in the west becomes all the more refreshing. The above quote is taken from a comedian, Shappi Khorsandi, during her time on stage hosting the 2015 Freedom of Expression Awards. After witnessing her father (Hadi Khorsandi) being persecuted by angry Iranians for his satirical criticism of the new regime of '79 even after he had fled to Britain with his family, the fire of free speech was well fuelled, and her successful career as a comedian in America lead her to that stage as a spokeswoman for freedom of expression.
Iran has continued to export thriving comedians to America which, considering the level of competition over there, is impressive for any country. When you add in the fact that the country has some of the strictest censorship laws in the modern world, topped only by such extreme cases as North Korea and Saudi Arabia, the whole thing comes off as quite poetic. Most recently, Dar Hashiyeh, A popular Iranian sitcom, was cancelled following pressure from medical organizations, because of the shows unflattering (to say the least) portrayal of the countries hospital system and professionals, though some argue that the criticism of the system is not baseless.
Recent years have seen a number of talented Iranian entertainers rising up to the top of the western industry, from five minute sets on a cosy stage at the Laugh Factory, to world tours, even landing roles in some very popular Hollywood productions. Omid Djalili, a 49 year old English born comedian, is a prime example. After a wildly successful run at stand-up, he's landed supporting roles In many notable movies such as Gladiator and The Mummy. The success of such comedians, who often utilize their acts to comment on their own country's religious, social and political issues which are often censored in Iran, represents the libertarian spirit that strives on within the wider Iranian community. Some artists, like cartoonist Bozorgmehr Hosseinpour, have even found ways around the censorship rules while working in the country, subtly introducing 'incisive commentary' to his caricatures 'without attracting the ire of Irans clerical-led regime'.
Parazit was a hugely popular satirical TV show broadcast on Voice of America's Persian service, influenced by Jon Stewart's The Daily Show, which made fun of Iranian politics. It could only be viewed from Iran via Illegal satellite dishes, Bootleg DVD's or the internet, but the audience continued to grow long after it went off air.
Parazit was a hugely popular satirical TV show broadcast on Voice of America's Persian service, influenced by Jon Stewart's The Daily Show, which made fun of Iranian politics. It could only be viewed from Iran via Illegal satellite dishes, Bootleg DVD's or the internet, but the audience continued to grow long after it went off air.
Whether they left the country in search of a platform for their voices to be heard, or were born in the west observing the struggles of their homeland from afar, the rising tide of outspoken comedy personalities is always working to uplift the people Iran, and show the world that a countries politics isn't always indicative of the attitude within its many communities.
