Rasoulof’s films, hailed internationally for their artistic merit, have been denounced by the Iranian judiciary as acts of subversion against the state, with accusations of collusion to undermine national security.
The latest sentencing comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Rasoulof’s upcoming film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” slated for premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
This is not the first time Rasoulof has been targeted by Iranian authorities for his filmmaking. In 2022, he was sentenced to a year in prison and a two-year filmmaking ban on charges of “propaganda against the system,” a move condemned by human rights organizations, at the time.
Several actors and producers on “Sacred Fig” were questioned by authorities and had their travel restricted. They were pressured to convince Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the festival.
Iranian authorities restricted his travel and have not allowed Rasoulof to leave the country since 2020.
Artistic Freedom Stifled
Rasoulof’s recurrent clashes with the regime exemplify the precarious position of artists navigating the complexities of censorship and state control.
