TEHRAN -- The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance lifted the ban on screening Ebrahim Hatamikia's political drama, "In the Color of Purple".

The decision to lift the ban was made following a meeting between Hatamikia and Deputy Culture Minister for Cinematic Affairs Javad Shamaqdari on Tuesday, the Public Relations Office of the deputy culture minister announced on Wednesday.

The film, which tells the story of a romance between an Iranian intelligence agent and the daughter of an opposition group leader, was withdrawn from the screening schedule of the 23rd Fajr International Film Festival 2005 by Hatamikia due to the objections of the Intelligence Ministry.

Afterwards, the screening license for the film was suspended and it was unofficially banned.

"In the Color of Purple" is slated to be screened at the 28th Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran in February 2010.

Producer Jamal Sadatian sent a letter to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad early last May, asking him to remove restrictions preventing the screening of the film.

Ahmadinejad ordered Shamaqdari, who was his art advisor at that time, to resolve the problem on screening of the film through a meeting with the intelligence minister.

Photo: Ebrahim Hatamikia (rear) directs Hamid Farrokhnejad in a scene of "In the Color of Purple".

... Payvand News - 10/08/09 ... --