Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof Awarded Special Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival
Iranian film director Mohammad Rasoulof received a special jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival for his film that depicts the story of a court investigator whose family life is shattered during antigovernment protests. Rasoulof, who had previously escaped a prison sentence and flogging in Iran, dedicated the award to his film crew still facing pressure in his home country. The film, 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig,' highlighted the injustices in Iran and led to a 12-minute ovation at the screening. The top prize at the festival was awarded to 'Anora,' a sensual drama and comedy. Rasoulof, known for his criticism of repression in Iran, shared his experience of deciding between exile and imprisonment before fleeing the country. He emphasized the importance of speaking out against the totalitarian regime in Iran. Western advocates and film industry groups had condemned Irans treatment of Rasoulof, who also won the top prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020 for his film 'There Is No Evil.' Despite the challenges he faced, Rasoulof continues to shed light on the personal freedoms and struggles under oppression in Iran.
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