Iran's president asks the Ministry of Culture not to block the screening of a film featuring Golshifteh Farahani in the Fajr Film Festival. 

 President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has asked Culture Minister Mohammad-Hussein Saffar-Harandi to take the necessary steps to lift the ban on About Elli. 

 Ahmadinejad's move followed a critical letter sent by his advisor about the film's removal from the list of pictures taking part in the annual competition.
"There is no law or guideline barring Iranian actors or actresses, who have played Hollywood roles, from starring in Iranian pictures," said Ahmadinejad's Arts Advisor Javad Shamaghdari. "Therefore, it is irrational to prevent the screening of a film just because an actress, who has played a Hollywood role and taken part in a red carpet ceremony, has played a part in it," he added. Wednesday reports indicate that Saffar-Harandi, who is currently on a foreign tour, has heeded Ahmadinejad's advice and ordered the ministry to lift the ban. A footage from 'About Elli’About Elli is film by Asghar Farhadi which recounts the stories of three families who are spending their holidays in northern Iran.It is co-starred by award-winning actress Taraneh Alidoosti and prominent actor Shahab Hosseini. 

 Golshifteh, who is the daughter of director Behzad Farahani and sister of actress Shaghayegh Farahani, in an unprecedented move took part in the Ridley Scott's Body of Lies, raising controversy in Iran about whether Iranian actors and actresses should play in Hollywood productions. 

 The film, which featured Leonardo DiCaprio and Russell Crowe, was nominated for 2008Academy Awards.