According to Khabar Online correspondent, Milani cited objection to the presence of Israeli director Dan Wolman in the jury and sympathy with Palestinian people as reasons for refusing to take up jury duties at the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI) currently underway in Goa.
She had already been appointed to join the five-member jury of the festival, however her recent interview with Times of India provoked reactions in Iran.
"We are not politicians, and we find no problem in working together. Cinema is not bound by political boundaries, its appeal is universal" she had told the daily.
But in a note received in Iran, she described the situation, explaining that the Israeli member joined the jury panel of the festival in the last moments.
"Regardless of political issues, there's no doubt about my and the majority of other filmmakers' sympathy with Palestinian people, since all committed individuals critically and emotionally respond to Israel’s oppression of Palestinians and I'm one of them," she wrote.
The 42nd International Film Festival of India is running from November 23 to December 3.
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