Let Acclaimed Iranian Director Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami into NZ
354 Comments
D
Deb Filler
10 years ago
As a member of the international film community, I have found it is film and theatre, art that breaks down barriers, not fear and panic. We should open our arms in NZ to multi cultural experiences. With the unimpressive arts cuts in NZ --why would a talented doc filmmaker ever want to base themselves in Aotearoa?
J
Johan van Greunen
10 years ago
Let her in. If she stays, good luck for us. In stead of giving American film makers tax breaks to make films in NZ we can give her the tax break to start our own film industry. Score! Just do it before we ratify the TPPA so American film makers cant sue us!
A
Anonymous
10 years ago
There's no reason why she shouldn't be let in! This is obviously (and embarrassingly) racial and immigration profiling. She's an artist! Come on!
A
Amy Cooper
10 years ago
It is embarrassing that proper diligence has not been carried out here. Instead it appears immigration officials have had a kneejerk reaction to her name and/or background and made some appalling assumptions. It would have taken all of two minutes to Google both the Documentary Edge Film Fest and Ghaemmaghami and be satisfied that the former is a reputable event and the latter a highly regarded filmmaker that we would be lucky to have visit here in New Zealand.
M
Matt Horrocks
10 years ago
This whole situation is too ridiculous to be true except that it is.
M
Margaret Callan
10 years ago
The decision by the NZ Immigration Service to deny a visitor's visa to Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami shows a lack of proper research into an applicant and a general unawareness of New Zealand events. Both show a lack of professionalism and questionable ability to do the job properly. This country's gatekeepers sometimes have an inflated idea of NZ's attractiveness.
This decision seems to have been made with no thought by someone who has not even looked at the application past her name and nationality. It is disrespectful to Rokhsareh and also to the screen industry which is supported by the New Zealand government as a key sector earning NZ recognition on the world stage. This mistake is tearing shreds off that reputation as this story of an award winning filmmaker on a tour of the world's film festivals being denied entry on patently ridiculous grounds is shared internationally.
M
Marjan Safinia
10 years ago
Documentary film excels at breaking down borders and creating a deeper understanding of the "other". Why would an enlightened country limit the opportunity for that to happen based on no tangible facts. Iranians need to hear from the world and the world needs to hear from Iranians.
A
Aidan Burch
10 years ago
I urge INZ to reconsider this decision to refuse a visa to Iranian film maker Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami. This is a voice that needs to be heard and supported.
A
Alice Shearman
10 years ago
NZWG supports Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami being allowed into NZ to speak at the Documentary Edge Festival.
A
Allan Wilkins
10 years ago
For female director Rokhsareh to take such risks in telling the true story in her country,it is a slap in the face from our country who is supposed to uphold and champion the human rights of people ,to refuse a visitors visa is an embarrasment to all New Zealanders.Lets hope immigration will revise this decision allowing Rokhsareh to visit ,speak and hold a masterclass .
E
Eliane
10 years ago
Freedom of expression and the communication of the latter.
H
Helen Hagen
10 years ago
Please allow Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami in to New Zealand for her short term visit to speak to documentary film makers.
S
Steve Berry-Smith
10 years ago
I support Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami to be allowed entry to NZ to speak at the film festival.
J
Janet McIver
10 years ago
Come on Immigration - you look like fools!!!
M
Matthew Downes
10 years ago
Let's treat this distinguished person with the respect she deserves -immigration New Zealand are an embarrassment to NZ as a nation with their shallow racial profiling - disgusting behaviour quite frankly.
C
Colin Hodson
10 years ago
As a nation we should make a stand against xenophobia, not take the bait.
P
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
10 years ago
I understand that many Immigration cases contain info that the public aren't privy to. But this sounds to me like a rote decision based on assumptions rather than fact. They could have at least contacted the film fest organisers who had invited her to NZ before they declined her application!
J
John Harris
10 years ago
The value of her film outweighs any petty concerns about her 'overstaying'. Anyway, she sounds like the type of principled and creative person we would LIKE to stay here.
As a member of the international film community, I have found it is film and theatre, art that breaks down barriers, not fear and panic. We should open our arms in NZ to multi cultural experiences. With the unimpressive arts cuts in NZ --why would a talented doc filmmaker ever want to base themselves in Aotearoa?
Let her in. If she stays, good luck for us. In stead of giving American film makers tax breaks to make films in NZ we can give her the tax break to start our own film industry. Score! Just do it before we ratify the TPPA so American film makers cant sue us!
There's no reason why she shouldn't be let in! This is obviously (and embarrassingly) racial and immigration profiling. She's an artist! Come on!
It is embarrassing that proper diligence has not been carried out here. Instead it appears immigration officials have had a kneejerk reaction to her name and/or background and made some appalling assumptions. It would have taken all of two minutes to Google both the Documentary Edge Film Fest and Ghaemmaghami and be satisfied that the former is a reputable event and the latter a highly regarded filmmaker that we would be lucky to have visit here in New Zealand.
This whole situation is too ridiculous to be true except that it is.
The decision by the NZ Immigration Service to deny a visitor's visa to Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami shows a lack of proper research into an applicant and a general unawareness of New Zealand events. Both show a lack of professionalism and questionable ability to do the job properly. This country's gatekeepers sometimes have an inflated idea of NZ's attractiveness.
[email protected]
This decision seems to have been made with no thought by someone who has not even looked at the application past her name and nationality. It is disrespectful to Rokhsareh and also to the screen industry which is supported by the New Zealand government as a key sector earning NZ recognition on the world stage. This mistake is tearing shreds off that reputation as this story of an award winning filmmaker on a tour of the world's film festivals being denied entry on patently ridiculous grounds is shared internationally.
Documentary film excels at breaking down borders and creating a deeper understanding of the "other". Why would an enlightened country limit the opportunity for that to happen based on no tangible facts. Iranians need to hear from the world and the world needs to hear from Iranians.
I urge INZ to reconsider this decision to refuse a visa to Iranian film maker Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami. This is a voice that needs to be heard and supported.
NZWG supports Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami being allowed into NZ to speak at the Documentary Edge Festival.
For female director Rokhsareh to take such risks in telling the true story in her country,it is a slap in the face from our country who is supposed to uphold and champion the human rights of people ,to refuse a visitors visa is an embarrasment to all New Zealanders.Lets hope immigration will revise this decision allowing Rokhsareh to visit ,speak and hold a masterclass .
Freedom of expression and the communication of the latter.
Please allow Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami in to New Zealand for her short term visit to speak to documentary film makers.
I support Rokhsareh Ghaemmaghami to be allowed entry to NZ to speak at the film festival.
Come on Immigration - you look like fools!!!
Let's treat this distinguished person with the respect she deserves -immigration New Zealand are an embarrassment to NZ as a nation with their shallow racial profiling - disgusting behaviour quite frankly.
As a nation we should make a stand against xenophobia, not take the bait.
I understand that many Immigration cases contain info that the public aren't privy to. But this sounds to me like a rote decision based on assumptions rather than fact. They could have at least contacted the film fest organisers who had invited her to NZ before they declined her application!
The value of her film outweighs any petty concerns about her 'overstaying'. Anyway, she sounds like the type of principled and creative person we would LIKE to stay here.