Iranian model’s ‘noose’ protest dress at Cannes sparks backlash: Mahlagha Jaberi made a bold political statement at the film festival to highlight the ‘wrongful executions’ in her home country
The 33-year-old was making a statement about the recent spate of executions carried out by Iranian authorities. Her outfit went viral online, drawing a mix of both support and outrage.
Here’s what we know about the controversial moment …
Mahlagha Jaberi’s Cannes outfit made a statement
Jaberi showed up on the red carpet in a black bodycon dress with straps that resembled a noose around her neck.
In a post uploaded to her Instagram account @mahlaghajaberi, Jaberi thanked her team and fashion designer Jila Saber for helping her shine a spotlight on the events happening back in her country.
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“Unfortunately, political statements are not allowed at the film festival and the security stopped me from showing the back of my dress, but the ‘noose’ meaning was well understood,” she said in her post.
She also uploaded another video of her outfit with the caption, “Dedicated to the people of Iran.”
The video shows her posing in a dark room while a sombre music track plays in the background. The back of her dress, which features a long train with the phrase “Stop Executions”, can be seen in the clip.
Iranian authorities have executed multiple citizens in recent weeks, per the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI).
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In the first week of May, at least 45 prisoners have been executed in various Iranian prisons for drug-related crimes and murder, HRAI reported on May 5. The report also noted that between January and May this year, at least 192 people – including eight women – have been executed.
Jaberi’s red carpet dress drew mixed feedback …
Jaberi’s red carpet outfit set the internet abuzz, drawing a mix of both praise and outrage.
Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, took to Twitter to express his support: “Another brave woman. Maybe if women were the majority in politics, there would be no more wars? What do you think?” Gerashchenko wrote in his tweet, accompanied by a photo of the model.
… including Iranian journalist Yashar Ali, who wasn’t impressed
Iranian journalist Yashar Ali had a different sentiment and criticised Jaberi for her video in a tweet.
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Ali said, “As innocent Iranians are being executed, @MahlaghaJaberi thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress that has a noose sewn into it and then film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for protesters,” Ali tweeted. “And then to end the video with ‘stop executions’ and no other context or information makes it unhelpful!”
Jaberi, Gerashchenko and Ali did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent outside of regular working hours.
- Model Mahlagha Jaberi made a strong political statement with her outfit at the Cannes Film Festival last Friday, protesting against the recent spate of executions carried out by the Iranian government
- The dress drew mixed criticisms, from Anton Gerashchenko, adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine’s support to journalist Yashar Ali, who was less impressed by its lack of context