HBO works to get film on dissident seen in Iran

Associated Press

NEW YORK

HBO has aggressively sought to get its documentary on Iranian dissident Neda Agha Soltan seen by as many people as possible within Iran as the anniversary of her death during anti-government demonstrations approaches.

The film, “For Neda,” was shown online and through Voice of America in Iran even before its debut on U.S. television this week. That’s an unusual step for a pay cable network that traditionally tries to keep its material exclusive for its customers.

The 27-year-old Iranian music student was shot in the heart last June 20 during a Tehran protest. Fellow demonstrators recorded images of her dying on their cell phones, and she quickly became a symbol for the crushed movement to protest Iran’s questionable election results.

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