36/14
Narrative
Investigating judge Iman struggles with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran
When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters and institutes draconian measures that strain family ties as social rules crumble. Director Mohammad Rasoulof was originally scheduled to participate in the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as a member of the Un Certain Regard section jury. . However, he was arrested in July 2022 after criticizing the government’s crackdown on protesters in Iran’s southwestern city of Abadan over a deadly building collapse.
The sacred fig is also a fig strangler
On 8 May 2024, Rasouloff’s lawyer announced that he had been sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as whipping, a fine and confiscation of his property. On May 12, 2024, Rasouloff announced that he had escaped from Iran and was staying at an unknown location in Europe. On May 24, 2024, Rasouloff attended the film’s Cannes premiere and held photos of two of the film’s actors, Soheila Golestani and Missagh Zareh, on the red carpet. It pushes its host even as it strangles it to death.
Expecting admiration, Iman instead encounters rebellion
The criminal is not who you expect. Iman climbs the ladder in Iran’s judicial system. High-minded, ambitious and hard-working, he strives to win the approval of his superiors and is promoted. Where he assumes love in his workplace, country, wife and daughters, he finds rebellion.
He claimed to feel sadness from the family
If Iman looks inside, maybe he can find a way to make things right. The Seed of the Sacred Fig won two awards at the Cannes Film Festival and succeeded for its authenticity, depth, capable actors and gripping story. Director Mohammad Rasoulof spent some time in prison for the crime of pursuing his filmmaking art. Rasoulof appeared via video at a screening at the Toronto International Film Festival to tell the story of one of his interrogators, who was ashamed of his actions and didn’t know which way to turn.
This investigator is the model for the character Iman
This raw and disturbing film features actual footage from the 2022 violent uprising in Iran over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was taken into custody for allegedly wearing a hijab improperly. The film reminds us to take a close look at our workplace, country, friends, family and ourselves so that we don’t become host to any strangling figs, no matter how sacred they are considered to be.