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Farhang Foundation is proud to partner with the prestigious American Film Institute for the 10th year in a row in presenting all the Iranian films at the 2024 AFI FEST.

The Seed Of The Sacred Fig

A Film by Mohammad Rasoulof

Oct 23, 8:45pm

(Chinese 5)

Oct 27, 8:15pm

(Chinese 4)

In Persian with English subtitles

Mohammad Rasoulof’s daring drama about two daughters defying their conservative father courted controversy in his native Iran, not only for its allegorical critique of the regime and depictions of real-life protests but also for its realistic depiction of women without head scarves on at home – which has been censored in Iranian cinema since the beginning of theocratic rule in 1979.

With his promotion to Revolutionary Court inspector, government lawyer Iman (Missagh Zareh) is also issued a revolver. While he and his family enjoy a higher standard of living, the new position means Iman must deliver evidence-free summary judgments, including the death penalty, to those the regime seeks to punish. His wife Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) is a mostly uncritical supporter of him, but their two college-aged daughters Sana and Rezvan (Setareh Malek and Mahsa Rostami) question the regime’s oppressive positions, especially when their classmates become caught up in the latest round of protests. When Iman’s gun inexplicably goes missing, it causes a crisis of trust within the family, leading to alarming escalations of recrimination and reprisals.

Rasoulof, facing a lengthy jail sentence and flogging for having made the film, fled Iran ahead of its triumphant world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won a Special Jury Prize. –Todd Hitchcock

Director: Mohammad Rasoulof

Writer: Mohammad Rasoulof

Cast/Featuring: Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi, Amineh Arani

Producers:  Mohammad Rasoulof, Rozita Hendijanian, Amin Sadraei, Jean-Christophe Simon, Mani Tilgner

Cinematography: Pooyan Aghababaei

Editor: Andrew Bird

Music: Karzan Mahmood

Year: 2024

Running Time: 168 minutes

Countries: Iran, Germany, France

Languages: Persian

About Mohammad Rasoulof

Mohammad Rasoulof is an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker celebrated for his unflinching examinations of social, political, and moral issues within Iran. Born in Shiraz in 1972, Rasoulof developed an early passion for cinema, though his career has been repeatedly obstructed by Iranian authorities due to the challenging, often politically charged nature of his films. Through works like Iron Island (2005) and Manuscripts Don’t Burn (2013), Rasoulof has crafted narratives that expose themes of oppression, corruption, and personal freedom, frequently clashing with state censors and resulting in the banning of his films within Iran.

In 2020, Rasoulof’s There Is No Evil won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, though he was forbidden from leaving Iran to accept the award. His vocal criticism of government repression ultimately led to his imprisonment in Iran—a fate faced by several Iranian filmmakers who dare to raise their voices. However, in a bold move, Rasoulof escaped the country in 2024 to attend the world premiere of his latest film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film was awarded the Special Jury Prize. His cinematic work has become a symbol of resistance, not only giving voice to those silenced within his homeland but also affirming his place as one of Iran’s most courageous and visionary auteurs on the global stage.