The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Travel ban battle of Trafalgar
Oscars protest: Actors and film-goers unite at Iranian director’s premiere
Actress Lily Cole has said Donald Trump’s travel ban is “unnecessary in this day and age” because cities like London are “wonderfully open”, and warned we may yet see “more ludicrous policies”.
The model addressed a large crowd gathered in Trafalgar Square for the UK premiere of The Salesman.
Asghar Farhadi, the drama’s Iranian director who won an Academy Award in 2012, boycotted last night’s star-studded event in California over Mr Trump’s travel ban, which bars people from seven Muslim-majority countries entering America.
His latest work was being shown in the public space in solidarity with his stance, at an event hosted by London Mayor Sadiq Khan and backed by actors including Keira Knightley, Dominic West and Cole.
In a speech to the large crowd of people who had packed out the area in front of the National Gallery, Cole said what makes the screening and premiere special is that it is a “positive version of protest”.
The director apologised for not being at the London premiere in person, held hours before the 89th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, as he addressed the crowd in a recorded message.
Farhadi said: “Despite our different religions, cultures and nationalities, we are all citizens of the world.”
Addressing the crowd, Mr Khan said: “At a time when people want to have travel bans, we should talk about welcoming people.
“At a time when people want to build walls, we should build bridges.”