DIRECTOR: Mohammad Rasoulof
STARRING: Soheila Golestani, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Misagh Zare
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 46 minutes
LANGUAGE: Persian
Iman, an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify and his gun mysteriously disappears. Suspecting the involvement of his wife Najmeh and his daughters Rezvan and Sana, he imposes drastic measures at home, causing tensions to rise. Step by step, social norms and the rules of family life are being suspended.
***
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is the latest film from Mohammad Rasoulof. He is best known for films such as Goodbye, which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011, and There Is No Evil, which scooped the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020. Starring Misagh Zare, Soheila Golestani, Mahsa Rostami and Setareh Maleki, the film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, winning the special jury prize and Fipresci award, before going on to win the audience award at Sydney in June 2024. The film was released in theatres across North America in November 2024.
The film was selected from a set 13 shortlisted films, which included Dying, and was chosen by a nine-member jury appointed by promotional organisation German Films. A statement from the German Films jury that selected the film said "The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a psychological portrait of Iran’s theocracy which is built on violence and paranoia. Mohammad Rasoulof subtly tells of the cracks within a family that are representative of those within Iranian society itself."
The film was produced by Run Way Pictures in co-production with Parallel45, ARTE France Cinéma and with the participation of ARTE France and in co-operation with Films Boutique.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a crime drama and it was filmed in Tehran, Iran.
To check out all previous submissions for Germany, click HERE.
STARRING: Soheila Golestani, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Misagh Zare
RUNNING TIME: 2 hrs 46 minutes
LANGUAGE: Persian
Iman, an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, grapples with mistrust and paranoia as nationwide political protests intensify and his gun mysteriously disappears. Suspecting the involvement of his wife Najmeh and his daughters Rezvan and Sana, he imposes drastic measures at home, causing tensions to rise. Step by step, social norms and the rules of family life are being suspended.
***
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is the latest film from Mohammad Rasoulof. He is best known for films such as Goodbye, which won the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011, and There Is No Evil, which scooped the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020. Starring Misagh Zare, Soheila Golestani, Mahsa Rostami and Setareh Maleki, the film premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, winning the special jury prize and Fipresci award, before going on to win the audience award at Sydney in June 2024. The film was released in theatres across North America in November 2024.
The film was selected from a set 13 shortlisted films, which included Dying, and was chosen by a nine-member jury appointed by promotional organisation German Films. A statement from the German Films jury that selected the film said "The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a psychological portrait of Iran’s theocracy which is built on violence and paranoia. Mohammad Rasoulof subtly tells of the cracks within a family that are representative of those within Iranian society itself."
The film was produced by Run Way Pictures in co-production with Parallel45, ARTE France Cinéma and with the participation of ARTE France and in co-operation with Films Boutique.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a crime drama and it was filmed in Tehran, Iran.
To check out all previous submissions for Germany, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
"They're just normal people who want a normal life and freedom."
Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of familial tension and societal unrest in contemporary Iran. The film revolves around Iman, a magistrate whose loss of his service weapon coincides with widespread protests sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. This singular event not only threatens Iman’s professional stability but also unravels the delicate fabric of his family life. Rasoulof’s ability to weave the personal and political into a seamless narrative underscores his mastery as a storyteller, creating a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is socially incisive.
The performances are a standout feature, especially Sohelia Golestani as Najmeh, whose character undergoes a transformative arc. Golestani captures the nuances of a wife torn between her loyalty to her husband and her growing alignment with her daughters' rebellion against authoritarianism. The daughters, Rezvan and Sana, embody the generational shift toward defiance and hope, making their characters relatable and symbolic of a broader cultural movement. Each actor brings a rawness and authenticity to their roles, ensuring the family dynamics feel intimate and impactful.
The film excels in portraying both the physical and emotional landscapes of its characters. Rasoulof contrasts the claustrophobic urban sprawl of Tehran with the rural expanses of Iman’s childhood home, using these settings to mirror the internal and external conflicts. The integration of real protest footage lends the film a harrowing immediacy, grounding its fictional narrative in the stark realities of contemporary Iranian life. The cinematography, combined with a carefully constructed soundscape, amplifies the tension, immersing the audience in a world where every moment is charged with unease and unpredictability.
What makes The Seed of the Sacred Fig especially powerful is its layered symbolism. The disappearance of Iman’s gun serves as a metaphor for the waning control of patriarchal and authoritarian systems. This theme reverberates through the family’s unraveling relationships and the broader societal shifts occurring outside their home. Rasoulof’s subtle but sharp critique of systemic oppression invites viewers to reflect on the intersections of personal agency and political resistance, making the film deeply relevant in a global context.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a triumph of courageous storytelling. Rasoulof’s commitment to illuminating the struggles of those living under oppressive regimes, even at great personal risk, is both inspiring and sobering. The film’s combination of compelling performances, arresting visuals, and incisive social commentary solidifies its place as a landmark in contemporary cinema, resonating far beyond Iran’s borders as a universal call for freedom and justice.
(This review contains spoilers.)
"They're just normal people who want a normal life and freedom."
Mohammad Rasoulof’s The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of familial tension and societal unrest in contemporary Iran. The film revolves around Iman, a magistrate whose loss of his service weapon coincides with widespread protests sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. This singular event not only threatens Iman’s professional stability but also unravels the delicate fabric of his family life. Rasoulof’s ability to weave the personal and political into a seamless narrative underscores his mastery as a storyteller, creating a film that is as emotionally resonant as it is socially incisive.
The performances are a standout feature, especially Sohelia Golestani as Najmeh, whose character undergoes a transformative arc. Golestani captures the nuances of a wife torn between her loyalty to her husband and her growing alignment with her daughters' rebellion against authoritarianism. The daughters, Rezvan and Sana, embody the generational shift toward defiance and hope, making their characters relatable and symbolic of a broader cultural movement. Each actor brings a rawness and authenticity to their roles, ensuring the family dynamics feel intimate and impactful.
The film excels in portraying both the physical and emotional landscapes of its characters. Rasoulof contrasts the claustrophobic urban sprawl of Tehran with the rural expanses of Iman’s childhood home, using these settings to mirror the internal and external conflicts. The integration of real protest footage lends the film a harrowing immediacy, grounding its fictional narrative in the stark realities of contemporary Iranian life. The cinematography, combined with a carefully constructed soundscape, amplifies the tension, immersing the audience in a world where every moment is charged with unease and unpredictability.
What makes The Seed of the Sacred Fig especially powerful is its layered symbolism. The disappearance of Iman’s gun serves as a metaphor for the waning control of patriarchal and authoritarian systems. This theme reverberates through the family’s unraveling relationships and the broader societal shifts occurring outside their home. Rasoulof’s subtle but sharp critique of systemic oppression invites viewers to reflect on the intersections of personal agency and political resistance, making the film deeply relevant in a global context.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a triumph of courageous storytelling. Rasoulof’s commitment to illuminating the struggles of those living under oppressive regimes, even at great personal risk, is both inspiring and sobering. The film’s combination of compelling performances, arresting visuals, and incisive social commentary solidifies its place as a landmark in contemporary cinema, resonating far beyond Iran’s borders as a universal call for freedom and justice.
