Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, whose feature film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is set to premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival this month, has been sentenced to eight years in prison, flogging, a fine, and property confiscation, as confirmed by his lawyer Babak Paknia to X.
Paknia stated, “The main reason for issuing this sentence is signing statements and making films and documentaries, which, according to the court, are examples of collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the country’s security.”
Despite the anticipation surrounding “The Seed of the Sacred Fig”‘s inclusion at Cannes, Iranian authorities have demanded Rasoulof withdraw the film from competition. Additionally, all key crew members have been prohibited from leaving the country and are under investigation by the security forces of the Ministry of Intelligence.
“He is accused of making ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ without obtaining a license from the relevant authorities,” Paknia informed the Guardian. “Alongside accusations that the actresses were not applying hijab properly and were filmed without hijab.”
