Actress Juliette Binoche cries at Cannes

Actress Juliette Binoche has cried during a news conference at the Cannes film festival when hearing news that a jailed Iranian director has gone on hunger strike.

Jafar Panahi, a maker of films that examine social issues in the Islamic Republic, was a supporter of Iranian opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi in last year's disputed election that saw President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad retain power.

On March 1, Panahi and family members were held by Iranian security guards at his home, and since then Panahi has been in prison.

Prominent filmmakers such as Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese and others have petitioned for Panahi's release, and French government ministers also asked that he be freed so that he could attend the Cannes festival.

Panahi won the Camera d'Or prize at the Cannes for his 1995 movie, "White Balloon," and was to sit on the 2010 film jury.