Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی ✈️ Telegram EN فا
❓ Unknown

Mohammad Rasoulof Announces Screening of 'Fig Tree Seeds' at Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland

Feb 3, 2026 February 3, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Mohammad Rasoulof's film 'Fig Tree Seeds' will be screened at the Locarno Film Festival after successful showings at Cannes and Sydney. The film, which explores themes of distrust and paranoia, was made secretly in Iran and reflects Rasoulof's critical stance towards the Iranian government. This screening is significant as it highlights the challenges faced by Iranian filmmakers under the current regime.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: Rasoulof's film screening at an international festival symbolizes the struggle for artistic freedom in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Mohammad Rasoulof MENTIONED
Iranian film director
"Rasoulof is a prominent figure in Iranian cinema known for his critical portrayal of the Iranian government and its policies."
Locarno Film Festival MENTIONED
International film festival
"The festival is a significant platform for showcasing independent and international films, helping to promote filmmakers from countries with restrictive regimes."

📰 What Happened

Mohammad Rasoulof announced that his film 'Fig Tree Seeds' will be screened at the Locarno Film Festival after successful showings at Cannes and Sydney. The film, which was made secretly in Iran, explores themes of distrust and paranoia.

  • 'Fig Tree Seeds' won the Jury's Special Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
  • Rasoulof was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Iranian government, which adds to the film's significance.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The screening underscores the oppressive environment for artists in Iran and highlights the resilience of filmmakers like Rasoulof.
🌍 Regional: It may inspire other artists in the region facing similar restrictions and promote discussions about freedom of expression.
🌐 International: The film's international exposure raises awareness about human rights issues in Iran and the challenges faced by dissidents.

📚 Background

Iranian filmmakers often face censorship and persecution for their work, making international recognition crucial for their voices to be heard.

Censorship in Iran Human rights in Iran
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The information comes from a reputable film magazine, suggesting a focus on the artistic aspects rather than political bias.

Mohammad Rasoulof, the renowned Iranian director, announced in an interview with the film magazine 'Variety' that his film 'Fig Tree Seeds' will be screened at the Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland during the last week of August. In this conversation, he highlighted the successes of 'Fig Tree Seeds' at various global festivals, stating, 'After the screening and reception of this film at the Cannes and Sydney festivals, an opportunity has now arisen to showcase 'Fig Tree Seeds' at the Locarno Festival in Piazza Grande.' The Locarno Film Festival is held in Switzerland and owes much of its fame to its outdoor night screenings in Piazza Grande, where over eight thousand spectators can watch films on the largest cinema screen in Europe until midnight. Rasoulof also revealed that 'Fig Tree Seeds' has been sold to distributors in Europe and the United States and will soon be screened in various cities around the world. 'Fig Tree Seeds,' Rasoulof's latest work, won the Jury's Special Prize at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in Khordad 1403 (June 2024). The film tells the story of a revolutionary court investigator in Tehran named 'Iman,' who suffers from distrust and paranoia. This film was made secretly in Iran. After being sentenced to eight years in prison by the Islamic Republic, Rasoulof was forced to leave Iran.

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →