The International

Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran’s film industry has been thriving amid the turbulent political scene and in spite of strict censorship laws. The relationship between politics and film has been especially pronounced when Iran’s controversial presidential elections coincided with a burgeoning international recognition of the country’s film industry. Many Iranian films have competed in international film festivals and several were awarded prestigious prizes. Mr. Asghar Farhadi’s About Elly won numerous awards including Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival award and the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin Film Festival in 2009. Ms. Shirin Neshat…

In a manner reminiscent of the witch hunts in early modern Europe, Papua New Guinea has experienced an increase in “witch” persecutions, and the same phenomenon has been observed in Africa, particularly in Nigeria. The experience of Nigerian Mary Sudnad, 10, reported by The Guardian, is perhaps typical. Mary’s brother fell ill and died, and the Christian pastor told her mother that his death was caused by Mary’s witchcraft. In response, her mother left her to be beaten by a gang of three ‘vigilantes.’ The following day, after an attempt at exorcism, the mother threw caustic soda in Mary’s face before abandoning her on a field. Though in Nigeria the p…