Germany Sends Rasoulof's Film 'Fig Tree Seeds' as Its Oscar Representative

On Thursday, September 1, Germany sent the film 'Fig Tree Seeds' by renowned Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof as its representative to the Academy Awards. This work will compete in the international or non-English language films category at the 97th Academy Awards. An independent jury appointed by the German Film Academy selected 'Fig Tree Seeds' from 13 shortlisted films. After leaving Iran, Mohammad Rasoulof has been living in Germany. The German Oscar committee described the film as 'a remarkable work by one of the great directors of world cinema, who has sought refuge from religious tyranny in Iran in Germany.' The committee expressed satisfaction that Rasoulof is 'safe' in Germany and considered the selection of his film as the country's representative at the 2025 Oscars a source of joy. 'Fig Tree Seeds' was filmed secretly and underground in Iran and is a co-production of Iran, Germany, and France. However, due to the rules and criteria of the Academy Awards and Rasoulof's residence in Germany, it can compete as the representative of this country in the international or non-English language films category. Germany has won the Oscar in this category four times, the most recent being for 'All Quiet on the Western Front.' The German Oscar committee introduced 'Fig Tree Seeds' as 'a psychological portrait of the theocracy in Iran built on violence and paranoia.' It further stated that 'Mohammad Rasoulof delicately speaks of the fractures in a family that represents families in Iranian society.' According to this committee, 'Fig Tree Seeds' is a film with masterful direction and shocking performances, depicting unforgettable scenes. The characters of two rebellious daughters in this film symbolize the brave women of Iran and their heroic struggle against the patriarchal system of the family and the country. After secretly leaving Iran, Rasoulof officially premiered 'Fig Tree Seeds' at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize. The film tells the story of a Tehran Revolutionary Court investigating judge named 'Iman' who suffers from distrust and paranoia. As political protests in Iran escalate, the judge's weapon mysteriously disappears. Judge Iman becomes suspicious of his wife Najmeh and his daughters Rezvan and Thna, leading him to take severe actions at home that create tension. Mohammad Rasoulof stated at Cannes that this film is about the family of a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Court during the recent nationwide protests in Iran, drawn from his personal experiences with the country's judicial system. This article references reports from Deadline, Hollywood Reporter, the German Film Academy website, and Voice of America. Exclusive interview with Voice of America with Mohammad Rasoulof: 'The Islamic Republic is a minority.' Mohammad Rasoulof became the head of the jury for one of the sections of the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea. He announced the screening of 'Fig Tree Seeds' at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The names of the films for the Toronto Film Festival were announced; Vishka Asayesh appears in 'Seven Days' as a human rights activist. Exclusive: Mohammad Rasoulof: The Islamic Republic is a minority; the people of Iran want freedom and democracy. After receiving the Jury Prize at Cannes, Rasoulof stated: 'The people of Iran have been taken hostage by the Islamic Republic.'