Several singers and activists, including French actresses and European artists, joined a solidarity moment by cutting their hair in a short video. Juliette Binoche, Marion Cotillard, and Charlotte Gainsbourg are among those who appear with cut hair or curling styles as a sign of support for Iranian women facing repression amid protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Binoche can be heard exclaiming, “For freedom,” as she uses scissors to begin the action in a video shared across social networks.
Many participants deliver their message through this shared recording, with most clips featuring a simple cut or movement of hair set to the Italian song Bella Ciao. The initiative drew attention from prominent figures such as Belgian singer Angèle and other well-known artists who joined in the gesture of solidarity, drawing global media focus to the women’s rights demonstrations unfolding in Iran.
The list of contributors includes celebrated French actresses Jane Birkin, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Bérénice Bejo, and Isabelle Huppert, among others who took part in the act of hair cutting to express support for Iranian women and to call for an end to compulsory veiling laws.
Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman, died on September 16 after being detained by morality police in Tehran for allegedly wearing the Islamic headscarf improperly.
Since that incident, protests have grown and spread, with reports of casualties surprising observers. A tally from the Oslo-based NGO Iranian Human Rights shows at least 92 deaths, while other sources reporting on the situation have cited higher numbers in broader tallies that vary over time.
The events have drawn international attention, prompting expressions of support from artists, human rights groups, and audiences around the world. Activists emphasize the importance of women’s rights, personal autonomy, and the call for accountability in the face of the ongoing demonstrations.