21/15
Tale
Investigative judge Iman struggles with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters and implements draconian measures that disrupt family ties as social norms crumble. Director Mohammad Rasoulof was originally scheduled to participate in the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as a member of the Un Certain Regard jury. . However, he was arrested in July 2022 after criticizing the government’s crackdown on protesters in the southwestern city of Abadan, Iran, over a fatal building collapse. On May 8, 2024, Rasouloff’s lawyer announced that he had been sentenced to eight years in prison, as well as flogging, a fine, and confiscation of his property. On May 12, 2024, Rasouloff announced that he had managed to flee Iran and was in an undisclosed location in Europe. On May 24, 2024, Rasouloff attended the film’s premiere in Cannes, holding photos of two of the film’s actors, Soheila Golestani and Missagh Zareh, on the red carpet. Iman: Does Sana want blonde hair? Painted nails? Why? Najmeh: The world has changed. Children think differently. Iman: The world has changed, but God has not. Neither have his laws. Najmeh: We have to teach them. Iman: We always have… Closing credits: “The Ficus Religiosa is a tree with an unusual life cycle. The seeds contained in bird droppings fall on other trees. Aerial roots sprout and grow all the way to the ground. Then the branches wrap around the host tree and strangle it. Finally, the sacred fig stands alone.” Directed by the acclaimed Mohammad Rasoulof, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” exploded at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, receiving widespread acclaim and several prestigious awards. It won the coveted Palme d’Or, which marked it as the festival’s best film, while Rasoulof himself was awarded Best Director for his exceptional storytelling and direction. The film also took home the award for Best Screenplay, showcasing its compelling story and deep character exploration. Misagh Zara was awarded the Best Actor award for his outstanding performance, and Soheila Golestani earned the Best Supporting Actress award, highlighting the film’s impressive cast. Tackling themes of resilience, identity, and the quest for freedom in modern Iran, the film serves as a powerful reflection of the human spirit in the face of challenges. In short, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”; illustrates Mohammad Rasoulof’s artistic vision and the extraordinary abilities of his cast. The film will not only captivate with its story, but will leave a deep impression on audiences. However, it has been met with criticism, especially regarding its political themes and depiction of social issues in Iran. This story may be considered controversial or provocative, especially given the Iranian government’s stance on artistic expression and dissent. I had some concerns about the pacing and character development, as those aspects somewhat detracted from the overall feel of the film.
