The Iranian government has sentenced filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof to eight years in prison just before his film was set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Rasoulof’s lawyer, Babak Paknia, revealed that his client received this harsh punishment, which also includes flogging, a fine, and property confiscation. The court accused Rasoulof of collaborating to commit crimes against the country’s security through his filmmaking activities.
Rasoulof had previously been detained in 2022 for speaking out against the use of force by Iranian security forces during protests. He was released in 2023 due to health reasons. Despite facing censorship and pressure from the Iranian government, Rasoulof’s film, “The Seed and the Sacred Fig”, was eventually allowed to screen at the Cannes Film Festival.
Following his sentencing, the distributing company Kino Lorber expressed shock and condemnation of the Iranian government’s actions. They have distributed Rasoulof’s previous films and stand in solidarity with him and other Iranian artists facing oppression. The Cannes Film Festival and other international film communities have yet to respond to this situation.
In addition to showcasing Rasoulof’s plight, the article references Christian tech thriller “EXEMPLUM”, directed by Paul Roland Bois. The film is praised by critics and can be viewed for free on platforms like YouTube and Tubi.
