Mohammad Rasoulof to Attend Cannes for Screening of His Film

The organizers of the Cannes International Film Festival have announced that Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof will attend the festival to showcase his new film. At the same time, dozens of international artists and filmmakers, including Fatih Akin, Sandra Hüller, Zahra Ebrahimi, and Paval Kapadia, expressed solidarity with the director who opposes the Islamic Republic. Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Cannes Festival, announced on Tuesday, May 22, that Mr. Rasoulof will be present on June 24 to screen his latest work, "The Fig Seed of Temples," in the competition section of the festival in Côte d'Azur, France. The film "The Fig Seed of Temples" tells the story of a judge in Tehran's Revolutionary Court who, amidst intensifying nationwide protests, becomes suspicious and paranoid about his wife and young daughters after losing his weapon. Based on released images, "The Fig Seed of Temples" was made inside Iran without adhering to government censorship, including the mandatory hijab for female actors. Additionally, dozens of artists and filmmakers issued a statement published in Variety, expressing solidarity with Mohammad Rasoulof and stating: "We urge the global film community to raise their voices against the Islamist dictatorship that systematically suppresses all aspects of Iranian society." The signatories of this statement also condemned the "inhumane behavior" of the Islamic Republic towards Mr. Rasoulof and "many other independent artists in Iran who are severely punished, criminalized, and forced into silence for exercising their artistic freedom." Mohammad Rasoulof announced on May 13 via his Instagram page and in a separate statement that he had left Iran and is currently in an "unknown location in Europe." The director, who opposes the Islamic Republic, stated that the news of his new film would undoubtedly increase the number of years he would spend in prison, leaving him little time to decide: "I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran. With a heart full of sorrow, I chose exile." Babak Paknia, a lawyer, had announced a week prior that judicial authorities had sentenced Mr. Rasoulof to eight years in prison, lashes, fines, and confiscation of his property due to his "signing of statements and making films and documentaries." The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance stated on May 13 that the making of "The Fig Seed of Temples" was a "clear violation" and threatened that Mr. Rasoulof would be dealt with "according to the law."