International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk Expresses Solidarity with Mohammad Rasoulof

The organization "International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk" issued a statement on Tuesday, May 14, expressing solidarity with Iranian exiled filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof while protesting against the Islamic Republic. Known as "ICFR," the organization strongly criticized the Islamic Republic's treatment of Rasoulof, the sentence issued against him, and the harassment of his film crew. According to the organization, Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison along with corporal and financial punishments by the Islamic Republic before the screening of his new film titled "The Fig Tree of Temples" in the main competition section of the Cannes Film Festival. The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk condemned this "unjust and disgraceful" ruling and expressed concern for the safety and health of actors and crew members in Iran who are under the surveillance and harassment of the Islamic Republic. The statement noted that "the actions of the Islamic Republic exacerbate the long-standing harassment and torture of this prominent filmmaker, who ultimately managed to escape the country despite having his passport confiscated by Iranian authorities." On Monday, May 13, Mohammad Rasoulof announced his secret departure from Iran in a short video from an unspecified location, stating that he had reluctantly chosen a life in exile. He addressed the Islamic Republic authorities, saying that he, like "millions of Iranians who were forced to leave Iran due to your oppression and brutality," had crossed the geographical borders of Iran "under the boots of your religious tyranny" and is now "a resident of my cultural Iran." The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk stated that Rasoulof's safe condition is reassuring, but expressed deep concern for the situation of a prominent filmmaker with such an exceptional status who chose exile due to harassment in his homeland. Mohammad Rasoulof is a well-known critic of the Islamic Republic and has been imprisoned multiple times for his anti-government statements. He has been banned from working and leaving the country for seven years but secretly made films underground in Iran. The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk expresses solidarity with all filmmakers fighting against censorship while protesting the ruling against Mohammad Rasoulof. The organization also calls on the Islamic Republic to immediately revoke all charges against Rasoulof and urges all cultural and cinematic organizations worldwide to make similar requests. Babak Paknia, a lawyer, recently reported that the eight-year prison sentence, lashes, fines, and confiscation of property against Mohammad Rasoulof, a well-known director and filmmaker, have been sent for execution. On Wednesday, May 8, Paknia tweeted that five years of this eight-year sentence are enforceable, citing the main reason for the ruling against Rasoulof as "signing statements and making films and documentaries." He added: "In the court's view, these actions constitute conspiracy to commit a crime against national security." According to this lawyer, the ruling against Rasoulof was initially issued by Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court and was then confirmed by Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals, and the case has now been sent for execution. About ten days ago, Paknia also reported the summons and interrogation of several crew members of the film "The Fig Tree of Temples," made by Mohammad Rasoulof, stating that they were told to ask Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the Cannes Festival. Source: International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk and reports from Voice of America. Mohammad Rasoulof after leaving Iran: "From today, I am a resident of 'Cultural Iran' and I am alive to tell the story." The Iranian Writers' Association called for the "immediate and unconditional cancellation" of Mohammad Rasoulof's conviction. The Independent Filmmakers Association stated that Rasoulof's ruling shows that the law of the Islamic Republic is merely a tool for stubbornness and revenge against opponents. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran is participating in the Cannes Festival with works about "Women, Life, Freedom." The eight-year prison sentence of Mohammad Rasoulof, a government-critical filmmaker, was confirmed by the Court of Appeals. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran stated that the Islamic Republic fears "freedom of art and expression."