Mohammad Rasoulof After Leaving Iran: From Today, I Am Residing in 'Cultural Iran' and I Am Alive to Tell the Story

Mohammad Rasoulof, a prominent Iranian director, announced his secret departure from Iran on Tuesday, May 13, from an unspecified location. The Islamic Republic's appellate court had recently upheld his eight-year prison sentence. He stated that he has now crossed the geographical borders of Iran, like 'millions of Iranians who were forced to leave Iran due to your oppression and brutality,' and that he is now a resident of 'Cultural Iran.' In his Instagram post, Rasoulof emphasized the need to quickly complete the final technical stages of post-production for his film 'The Fig Seed of Temples.' He expressed gratitude to all those who helped him 'to cross the border and reach a safe place,' adding, 'I am alive to tell the story.' In this context, Jean-Christophe Simon, the CEO of the film's distributor, expressed happiness over Rasoulof's exit from Iran and his arrival in Europe, hoping that the director would be able to attend the premiere of 'The Fig Seed of Temples' at the Cannes Film Festival on Friday, May 24. Previously, some sources had referred to this film as 'The Sacred Fig Seed.' Babak Paknia, a lawyer, recently reported that the eight-year prison sentence, flogging, fines, and confiscation of Rasoulof's property had 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 sentence as Rasoulof's 'signing of statements and making films and documentaries.' He added that the court considered these actions as a conspiracy to commit a crime against national security. According to this lawyer, the sentence against Rasoulof was initially issued by Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court and was subsequently upheld by Branch 36 of the appellate court, and the case has now been sent for execution. About ten days ago, Paknia also reported the summons and interrogation of several members of the production team of 'The Fig Seed of Temples,' stating that they were told to ask Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the Cannes Festival. 'The Fig Seed of Temples,' Rasoulof's latest film, is set to be screened in the competition section of the Cannes Festival. This government-critical filmmaker, who has won awards at several international film festivals, has always faced pressure from the Islamic Republic's judicial authorities and has repeatedly encountered prison sentences and travel bans. Rasoulof had previously participated in the Cannes International Festival with films such as 'The Manuscripts Don't Burn,' 'Lerd,' and 'Iron Island.' Following his signing of the 'Lay Down Your Gun' statement in July 2022, he was arrested and banned from leaving the country, thus missing the opportunity to travel to France and judge the 'Un Certain Regard' section at Cannes. The International Coalition of 'Filmmakers at Risk' had called for the lifting of Rasoulof's travel ban in 2023. The Writers' Association in Exile commemorated the memory of Behtash Abtin and Mohammad Rasoulof. Why has Rasoulof's new film angered the government so much? Explanations from Babak Ghafourizadeh. Reactions from activist teachers in Iran to Rasoulof's conviction: 'Cancel this medieval and oppressive sentence.' The Iranian Writers' Association called for the 'immediate and unconditional' cancellation of Rasoulof's conviction. The Independent Filmmakers Association stated that Rasoulof's sentence shows that the law of the Islamic Republic is merely a tool for obstinacy and revenge against opponents. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran is participating in Cannes with works about 'Women, Life, Freedom.' Rasoulof's eight-year prison sentence, a government-critical filmmaker, was upheld by the appellate court. Independent Iranian films have become a bane for the regime; the Islamic Republic is pressuring to remove 'The Sacred Fig Seed' from Cannes. The Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran stated that the Islamic Republic fears 'freedom of art and expression.'