Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, set to compete at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival with his film 'Holy Fig Seed,' has been sentenced to prison and lashes in his home country. Learn more about the details of this development below!
Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof Sentenced to Prison and Lashes
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Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, known for award-winning films like "Twilight," "Iron Island," "Goodbye," "Manuscripts Don't Burn," and "A Man of Integrity," has been sentenced to 8 years in prison and lashes in Iran.
Rasoulof was set to compete at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival with his new film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig."
According to a report by Euronews, Rasoulof not only faces a fine but also the confiscation of all his assets.
The court's decision stems from alleged instances of Rasoulof engaging in secret agreements to commit crimes against the country's national security in his films.
Statements from the film's team indicate that Rasoulof has long been a target of the Iranian regime.
They claim that the timing of this sentence, just before Cannes, is an attempt to force him to withdraw from the festival.
So, what is "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" about, the film competing at Cannes?
The film follows a judge working in Tehran's Revolutionary Court dealing with protests in the country and becoming increasingly paranoid after losing his gun, suspecting his wife and daughter in the process. The lead roles are played by Soheila Golestani, Setareh Malek, and Missagh Zareh.