Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker -- and recent Cannes lightning rod -- Jafar Panahi is reportedly leaving jail today on $200,000 bail. The director of The White Balloon was said to have been imprisoned for his support of the country's opposition party and begun a hunger strike last week. His cause was publicized in part by a petition boasting signatures by Robert Redford and Steven Spielberg, while also noted at a festival press conference by compatriot Abbas Kiarostami. Developing... UPDATED 9:15 a.m. EDT: Panahi's wife confirmed he's free: "We are taking him to the doctor." [AFP]
