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Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s journey to the Oscars
A filmmaker’s escape and triumph
Mohammad Rasoulof, a dissident Iranian director, has recently made headlines with his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig being selected as Germany’s entry for the Oscars. This decision comes amidst a backdrop of political turmoil and personal strife for Rasoulof, who fled Iran after being sentenced to jail and flogging by the Iranian authorities.
The Busan International Film Festival spotlight
Rasoulof, currently serving as the president of the New Currents competition jury at the Busan International Film Festival, shared insights into the circumstances that led to his film’s selection. In May, he managed to escape to Europe, leaving behind a harsh sentence imposed by the Iranian government. His film, which delves into the life of an investigating judge in Tehran’s Revolutionary Court amidst growing anti-government protests, has already garnered acclaim, winning a prize at Cannes.
A complex situation
At the New Currents jury press conference in Busan, Rasoulof elaborated on the complexities surrounding his film’s journey. “My film was withdrawn by the Iranian government, and I was sentenced to eight years in prison,” he revealed. The filmmaker’s move to Germany, where several producers of his film are based, was a turning point. He expressed profound gratitude to Germany for embracing his work and understanding its cultural significance. “For me, this had a very great meaning, because they are opening their arms and understanding other cultures and the human meaning that has come from those cultures,” Rasoulof stated.
Future projects and cultural integration
Looking ahead, Rasoulof remains undeterred by his past challenges. He affirmed his commitment to filmmaking, regardless of the circumstances or location. “I will make films in any circumstances and anywhere in the world,” he declared. His future projects will continue to explore themes from both his native culture and European influences. “I have some new stories, and I’m always thinking about new projects,” he added.
Iran’s Oscar submission
While Rasoulof’s film represents Germany, Iran has chosen a different path for its Oscar submission. The family drama In the Arms of the Tree has been selected to represent the country, highlighting the diverse cinematic narratives emerging from the region.
The New Currents jury
Rasoulof is joined by an esteemed panel of jurors at the Busan International Film Festival. The jury includes Korean filmmaker Lee Myung-se (“M”), Chinese actor Zhou Dongyu (“Strangers When We Meet”), Indian actor Kani Kusruti (“All We Imagine as Light”), and Vanja Kaludjercic, director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
The rise of Indian independent cinema
Kusruti, who has starred in notable films such as the Sundance-winning Girls Will be Girls and Cannes Grand Prix winner All We Imagine as Light, spoke about the renaissance in contemporary Indian independent cinema. “They are fine-tuning their craft in acting, dialogue writing, and cinematography while maintaining diversity,” she noted.
Kaludjercic echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the unique cinematic language emerging from different regions of India. “From every region, we find different languages and cultures, and very different approaches to cinema. When we look at thousands of films for our selections in Rotterdam, the language of cinema that surprises us most nowadays comes from India,” she remarked.
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