Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s latest film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, is a gripping domestic thriller that casts a harsh light on the oppressive regime of the Ayatollah in Iran. Directed under extreme secrecy and against the backdrop of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, the film unfolds within the confines of a Tehran home, revealing the personal and political tensions that unravel a family.
Rasoulof, who has been previously imprisoned for his opposition to the Iranian government, directed the film while in exile in Germany, fully aware of the risks involved. He had already been sentenced to prison for his previous works critical of the regime. His bold decision to make The Seed of the Sacred Fig speaks to his deep commitment to freedom, an ideal he repeatedly emphasizes.
Plot and Characters
The film revolves around Najmeh (played by Soheila Golestani), a conservative matriarch who blindly follows government propaganda while her family is caught in the storm of the Woman, Life, Freedom protests. Her husband, Iman (Missagh Zareh), a newly appointed judicial investigator, remains complicit in the regime’s violent crackdown. Meanwhile, their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki), sympathize with the protesters, aligning themselves with the revolution’s ideals.
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As the family’s ideological divide deepens, Najmeh starts to question everything she once believed. Tensions rise when Iman’s gun goes missing, sparking paranoia and dangerous accusations within the household. The claustrophobic setting and escalating suspicions among the family members mirror the stifling repression of the Iranian regime.
A Film Made Under Harsh Conditions
The making of The Seed of the Sacred Fig itself was a product of intense suppression and censorship. Rasoulof had to direct the film remotely while in exile, which presented unique challenges for both him and the cast. He was forced to work with a minimal crew and limited equipment, much like a student film production. Despite these obstacles, Rasoulof’s vision remained clear, and the film’s critique of the Iranian government became even more poignant.
“I think freedom is really important,” Rasoulof says when asked why the film was so essential to him. His unwavering commitment to artistic freedom, even at great personal risk, permeates the film. It is a testament to the lengths filmmakers must go to preserve their craft under regimes that seek to suppress creative expression.
Real-Life Protests and Cinematic Truth
The protests that serve as the backdrop of The Seed of the Sacred Fig were sparked by the tragic death of Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody for not properly wearing her hijab. The real footage from these protests is seamlessly integrated into the film, blending fact with fiction. Rasoulof felt that it was impossible to replicate the visceral impact of these protests in a staged scene, which led him to incorporate real-life footage to enhance the film’s authenticity.
Despite the risks involved in making a film critical of the Iranian government, Rasoulof found a way to convey the truth of the protests and the revolution, even as he lived in exile and directed remotely.
Moral Ambiguities in the Film
The central conflict in The Seed of the Sacred Fig is not just between the family members, but also the moral complexities each character faces. Iman’s increasing violence and distrust reflect the moral corrosion created by the Iranian regime. Both he and Najmeh are depicted as individuals who are struggling with their own consciences, but their choices complicate their moral standing.
Rasoulof’s experiences in prison shaped this exploration of human morality under oppressive regimes. He observed how people in power, such as interrogators and judges, could lose their humanity in the service of the state. This observation inspired him to create characters who are neither entirely good nor bad, but rather products of their environment.
The Struggles of Exile
While Rasoulof has found refuge in Germany, the dislocation of being far from home weighs heavily on him. He remains deeply connected to Iranian culture and longs to make films that resonate with his home country’s people. Though technology allows him to stay in touch with collaborators, his work remains limited in exile.
He draws inspiration from fellow Iranian filmmakers like Jafar Panahi, Maryam Moghaddam, and Behtash Sanaeeha, who, despite being labeled dissidents by the regime, continue to create films that challenge the status quo. Rasoulof remains hopeful for the future of Iranian cinema, believing that even as repression increases, so too does the courage to find new ways to create and resist.
Conclusion: A Call for Change
The Seed of the Sacred Fig is more than just a film. It is a symbol of resistance against oppression, a call for freedom, and a testament to the resilience of Iranian filmmakers. Rasoulof’s work demonstrates that even under the harshest conditions, artists can find a way to speak the truth.
The film is now showing in cinemas, and its impact is far-reaching. As Rasoulof reflects on the bravery of a new generation of Iranians determined to live life on their own terms, his optimism for change mirrors the hope that fuels the ongoing protests in Iran.
