Mohammad Rasoulof, Iranian Filmmaker, Accused of 'Acts Against National Security'

The French company responsible for distributing Mohammad Rasoulof's latest film announced on Wednesday, October 11, that this filmmaker is facing charges in Iran such as acts against national security, which could lead to a sentence of up to six years in prison. According to a report by Agence France-Presse citing the film distribution company ARP Selection, Mr. Rasoulof was subjected to 'intense interrogations' by Iranian security agents last Tuesday, with charges against him including acts against national security and propaganda against the regime. Mohammad Rasoulof was arrested following the events of the 2009 presidential election in Iran while making a film centered on those events and was tried on similar charges. His initial sentence was six years in prison, which was reduced to one year on appeal. The works of this filmmaker have won him numerous international awards, including his latest film, 'Lord,' which won the 'Un Certain Regard' award for the filmmaker at this year's Cannes Film Festival. This film addresses economic corruption in Iran. Reports emerged in late September of this year indicating that Mr. Rasoulof's passport was confiscated upon his arrival in Iran at the airport. The report from Agence France-Presse states that the interrogations of Mohammad Rasoulof are still ongoing and the charges against him could lead to a prison sentence of up to six years. Other notable works by Mohammad Rasoulof include the film 'The Manuscripts Don't Burn,' which deals with the serial killings of Iranian intellectuals, events that were found to be perpetrated by Iranian security forces. This film won the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) award.