Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has announced his departure from Iran after being handed a prison sentence for clandestinely creating his latest film.
Taking to Instagram, Rasoulof revealed his current whereabouts in a “safe place,” expressing gratitude to those who assisted him in crossing borders, often at great personal risk.
His upcoming film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” is slated for its premiere at the Cannes Festival, commencing on Tuesday.
Previously, Rasoulof garnered acclaim for his film “There Is No Evil,” which earned the top prize at the 2020 Berlin Festival for its exploration of the death penalty in Iran.
In his Instagram post on Monday, Rasoulof acknowledged the support he received, stating, “I am grateful to my friends, acquaintances, and people who kindly, selflessly, and sometimes by risking their lives, helped me get out of the border and reach safety after a difficult and long journey.”
Confirming his departure from Iran, his lawyer Babak Paknia informed AFP news agency, “I can confirm that Mohammad Rasoulof has left Iran and will attend the Cannes festival.”
Despite pressure from Iranian authorities to withdraw “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” from the event, Rasoulof remained steadfast in his refusal to comply.
