The film 'Fig Seed of Temples' nominated for 3 European Film Academy Awards

The European Film Academy announced the nominees for its 37th awards on Tuesday, November 6, and the film 'Fig Seed of Temples' directed by renowned Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was nominated in the categories of Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. These annual awards are given to outstanding filmmakers and cinematic works in various categories and are known as the 'European Oscars.' Mohammad Rasoulof made 'Fig Seed of Temples' underground in Iran and secretly premiered it at the Cannes International Film Festival in France last summer after leaving Iran. Works that were screened for the first time in Europe from May 31 of the previous year to May 31, 2024, are eligible for this year's European Film Academy Awards. The Academy has about five thousand members who vote in three stages for selected films and personalities in various categories after the eligible works are determined. The awards ceremony will be held in December in the city of Lucerne, Switzerland. 'Fig Seed of Temples' tells the story of a Tehran Revolutionary Court investigating judge named 'Iman' who suffers from distrust and paranoia. As political protests escalate in the country, the judge's gun 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. At Cannes, Mohammad Rasoulof stated that the film is about the family of a Revolutionary Court official during the recent nationwide protests in Iran (following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of the morality police in September 2022), drawn from his personal experiences with the Islamic Republic's judicial system. 'Fig Seed of Temples' is also competing as Germany's representative in the non-English language film category or Best International Film at this year's Oscars, marking a significant achievement for Mohammad Rasoulof. Hamid Soleiman-Zadeh, a writer and film critic residing in Germany, told Voice of America that the selection of 'Fig Seed of Temples' directed by Mohammad Rasoulof as Germany's official representative for the Best International Film category at the 2025 Oscars is very important. He adds, 'This is the first time Germany has introduced an Iranian and Persian-language film to the Academy Awards, making it an unprecedented action.' According to this film critic, the selection of 'Fig Seed of Temples' by Germany is significant for several reasons; first, the film is a co-production of Iran, France, and Germany, so there are no technical issues for its selection by Germany, and it is eligible for the Oscars. The second reason is that Mr. Rasoulof is currently residing in Germany and has sought refuge there. Therefore, by this selection, Germany sends a strong message of support for human rights, freedom of expression, and protesting artists to the world's most important cinematic ceremony. Mr. Soleiman-Zadeh added that the selection of this film shows that cinema is a powerful art for expression in the realm of protest and resistance against censorship and repression. The fourth reason, according to this film critic, is that this selection serves as a message to Iranian cinematic and non-cinematic authorities, who, especially in the last two years, have created the conditions for the forced migration of many artists, particularly in cinema, through wrong decisions and unjust judicial rulings. Hamid Soleiman-Zadeh concludes by saying, 'Although this selection brings joy to all of us, there remains a sense of regret that why an Iranian film with a high chance of winning an Oscar must represent another country at such an important ceremony.' This article utilized information from the European Film Academy website and reports from Voice of America. The request from 'IFMA' to the Academy Awards to pay attention to independent Iranian cinema. Rasoulof dedicated 'Fig Seed of Temples' to Mohammadi and Hamidi. Soheila Golestani, an actress in 'Fig Seed of Temples,' was nominated for the Best Actress award at the Asia Pacific Awards. Mohammad Rasoulof became the head of the jury at the Kyiv International Film Festival in Ukraine. Mohammad Rasoulof stated at the Busan Festival: 'I will make films under any conditions and anywhere.' The Association of Expatriate Artists: Oscars should pay attention to underground filmmakers in Iran. The screening of the film 'Seven Days' starring Vishka Asayesh in Toronto; Mohammad Farakhmanesh, the producer: The film's message is respect for human rights and freedom. Germany sent Rasoulof's film 'Fig Seed of Temples' as its representative to the Oscars.