intellectual groups inside and outside the country is not permitted."
This is the 7th regulation listed in a booklet the Film Ministry in Iran printed in 1984. That was 25 years ago, what about today? On July 8, 2010, the Daily Mail reported that Iran was set to order a crackdown on men sporting "un-Islamic" haircuts.
The list of banned hairstyles include mullets, long hair, and ponytails. A Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance representative stated, "the proposed styles are inspired by Iranians’ complexion, culture, religion and Islamic law."
Authorized hairstyles
First time offenders are hauled to police stations where they are given a close shave and repeated offenders are given stiff fines. Barber shops that cater to western styles have been shut down.
As the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance continues to exert its pressure on society, the film industry is likely to face further hardships trying to get films approved. The general precedent was set in 1984 but as young Iranians test the lines of acceptability, more specific guidelines are likely to be set. As an avid fan of Iranian cinema, I can only hope that the cast of current films being produced do not feature "unacceptable" hairstyles.
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