“When it’s all too late”, a documentary describing the events surrounding the contaminated blood scandal and the case of the Hemophiliacs was screened last summer. The film is directed by Naghme Afiat, a young visually disabled female director and has won recognition in the recent Iranian Documentary Film Festival.
At the screening which was held on the memorial day for victims of the scandal, Ahmad Ghavidel, the patients’ representative in the court battle presented a brief history of the events leading to two definite court verdicts convicting government organizations. Prominent figures also made an appearance at the event including Rakhshan BaniEtemad the renowned Iranian film maker who, in a short speech, expressed sorrow for the victims and declared: “I am personally ashamed of this event. I am ashamed of history and humanity. Our people do not deserve to be treated like this.”
Naghme Afiat also expressed sorrow for the families of the victims and announced: “I made this film to portray a scene from this bitter event. I’m not sure if I were successful or not.” Later she was awarded a symbolic prize by the Iranian Hemophilia Society, which was handed to her by Ayatollah Shobeiri, one of the members who played a significant role in revitalizing the IHS in the 80s.
Also in the program Anis Jannesar another young director who had made a similar documentary about the case of the Hemophiliacs, in 2003 was awarded symbolic prize by Rakhshan BaniEtemad. She expressed joy for the proper reception Ms Afiat had received and recalled all the trouble she herself had endured at a time when no court ruling had yet been issued.
