Iranian movie Marmoolak/Lizard gets banned
A few weeks ago, enigmatic posters of a green reptile sprang up all over Tehran, urging Iranians to cancel their traditional spring holidays and "Wait for the Lizard."
But Iranians are still waiting. "The Lizard," an award-winning movie comedy, has fallen foul of censors for poking fun at the conservative clerics who run the Islamic Republic.
The film follows the fortunes of Reza Marmoulak (Reza the lizard), a thief who disguises himself in clerical robes and turban to escape from prison. Ironically, the escaped convict proves a big hit as a preacher and brings worshippers flocking back to mosques.
"The Lizard" had audiences laughing at the privileges of the turbaned class as it won the best film award at Tehran's Fajr International Film Festival in February.
But apart from being funny, the film carries an underlying message that God is accessible to all. Conservative movie critics deemed the film insulting.
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