Yorgos Lanthimos, Mike Figgis, and Ben Rivers Speak Out Against the Iran Conflict: A Call for Peace Over War
Directors Yorgos Lanthimos, Mike Figgis, and Ben Rivers have joined a multitude of artists and academics in an open letter that condemns the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, underscoring the Iranian people’s right to self-determination.
This letter has circulated within filmmaking and academic communities on both sides of the Atlantic, marking a significant statement amid escalating tensions.
“We, a collective of artists, cultural practitioners, and filmmakers, issue this statement in full awareness of our historical and ethical responsibility to unequivocally condemn war, military violence, and all forms of political and military intervention,” the letter begins. It asserts, “We state clearly and without ambiguity that the destiny, future, and political determination of Iran belong exclusively to the people of Iran. No foreign power, no government, and no military coalition holds the legitimacy to determine the political, social, or historical trajectory of this land. The right to self-determination is a fundamental and inalienable principle that arises solely from the free and conscious will of a people.”
The signatories are advocating for the immediate halting of military attacks and escalatory policies directed at Iran. They call for unconditional respect for the Iranian people’s right to self-determination, prioritization of diplomacy, and adherence to international law. The statement also emphasizes the necessity of protecting civilians and vital infrastructure, alongside rejecting any view that validates war as a legitimate means of political change.
Notable additional signatories include U.S. director and multimedia artist Jem Cohen, filmmaker Andrea Zimmerman, Thai director Thunska Pansittivorakul, Viennale Director Eva Sangiorgi, avant-garde filmmaker John Smith, and academic Eyal Weizman, founding director of the Centre for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths University in the UK.
The publication of this letter comes as the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran intensifies, now entering its 11th day. This operation has faced increasing international condemnation for its unilateral nature and grave implications for regional and global stability.
Responses within Iran and its diaspora have varied significantly, with some expressing outright opposition to foreign intervention, while others have welcomed the attacks against the hardline Islamic regime, particularly following its violent crackdown on January’s pro-democracy protests. However, there is widespread concern regarding the military nature of the operation and its impact on civilians.
President Donald Trump initially described the military operation, which began on February 28, as aimed at dismantling Iran’s military capabilities, destroying its nuclear program, and instigating governmental change. The conflict has since claimed the life of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and caused significant destruction in Tehran and surrounding areas, leading to at least 1,255 reported civilian deaths, according to local health ministry figures. The Gulf region has also been subjected to retaliatory missile and drone attacks.
Ambiguity surrounds the end goals of the conflict, as Trump made conflicting remarks, stating the war would be over “pretty quickly” in a press interview yet also implying that the U.S. had not achieved enough in an address to Republican allies.
The letter’s signatories vehemently oppose military intervention. They declared, “We firmly condemn the military attacks carried out by the governments of the United States and Israel against Iran and its territory, which have resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent civilians. We likewise reject the war-driven policies and approaches of President Donald Trump, which have contributed to escalating tensions and deepening regional instability.”
They further emphasized that “no enduring peace has ever emerged from bombardment or military threats,” asserting that violence and military actions only lead to the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the perpetuation of poverty and conflict. They reject any narrative that positions war as an acceptable means for achieving freedom.
The signatories advocate for a future shaped by justice, coexistence, and lasting peace, underscoring their solidarity with the Iranian people and others in the region. “Peace is an ethical choice and a historical necessity and no freedom will ever be born from war,” they concluded.
