New Delhi: Amid the fragile ceasefire following the failed peace talks in Islamabad, Majid Majidi, one of Iran’s best-known filmmakers, told TOI from Tehran – where he has moved away from cinema to involve himself with the Iranian Red Crescent in relief work – that the war he witnessed firsthand has irreversibly changed everyday life in the cities of his homeland.Oscar nominee Majidi is not an unfamiliar voice to Indian audiences. His cinema belongs to a tradition that resonates naturally here. He has often spoken about his admiration for Satyajit Ray, as the late ‘Master of World Cinema’ explored the world of children, their moral dilemmas, resilience amidst poverty, familial relationships and moral choices.Speaking about the ongoing conflict, Majidi said, “For more than a month, cities have been facing bombardment. Although these have been described as targeted attacks, in reality we are seeing homes, hospitals and schools being affected. He specifically pointed to the attack in Minab on 28 February, which he said killed dozens of schoolchildren, saying he believed the incident “should be remembered and investigated in international courts”.The aftermath of that attack, which Iran says killed more than 150 children and teachers, remains unpredictable. Pictures recovered from the attack site were displayed at an exhibition titled ‘Angels of Minab’ by the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi on Monday. It captured the world of a child before death: smiling families holding hands, bright houses under big suns, flowers and birds scattered across the blue sky.Majidi’s description of the war is characterized by both “proximity and participation”. Joining relief efforts on the ground, he spoke about shortages, displacement and the strain on civilian life. “Common people are caught in the middle,” he said, adding that the impact of the violence goes beyond immediate casualties.Differentiating between governments and people, he said, “We are isolated by governments, not by nations…Global public opinion, despite pressure and propaganda, stands with the Iranian people. There are widespread demonstrations in Europe, Asia and even within the Americas…people are demanding an end to the war.”The filmmaker said Iranian resilience remains intact. Majidi said, “In our culture, surrender has no meaning. Our people show courage on the battlefields and on the streets alike.”“Throughout history, the artists and thinkers of this land have stood strong even in the most difficult times,” Majidi said. “Western powers, ignorant of Iran’s history, underestimate it. They should study our past before deciding our future.”Tied to his homeland, Majidi rejected the idea of ever leaving. “Our roots are in this soil. It is our duty to contribute to its advancement and it is our duty to live and die here.”For Majidi, the war is not only a geopolitical crisis, but also a humanitarian crisis – the consequences of which, he warned, could extend far beyond Iran, threatening broader regional instability and triggering a massive wave of migration of millions of people. “Governments around the world must move beyond statements and toward action,” he said. The producer of films such as Children of Heaven (which became one of the most watched Iranian films in India), who had long expressed a desire to tell a story based here, a dream he realized with Beyond the Clouds, filmed in Mumbai, made an appeal for the broadcast: “The delivery of humanitarian aid – especially medical – has been very limited. Iran needs it.”