Iranian actress’ kiss at Cannes Festival angers authorities back home

Iranian actress Leila Hatami has angered authorities in Tehran by kissing the Cannes Film Festival's president on the cheek.

The act is seen as an affront to the "chastity" of the Islamic republic's women, reports Abc.net.au.

A photograph carried by Iranian media has shown Hatami kissing Gilles Jacob at the opening of this year's festival.

"Those who attend intentional events should take heed of the credibility and chastity of Iranians, so that a bad image of Iranian women will not be demonstrated to the world," deputy culture minister Hossein Noushabadi said, in quotes carried on the website of state
broadcaster IRIB.

"[The] Iranian woman is the symbol of chastity and innocence."

Hatami's "inappropriate presence" at the festival was "not in line with our religious beliefs".