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Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran to debut his film in Cannes. 'I have many more stories to tell,' he says

Mohammad Rasoulof was facing eight years in prison and likely more considering the uncompromising nature of his latest film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” when he decided to flee Iran.

His films and statements criticizing government-sanctioned violence against protesters had already earned him a long string of prison sentences, filmmaking bans, travel restrictions and the confiscation of his passport in 2017. Ahead of the premiere of the film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” was acquired for North American distribution by Neon, the acclaimed specialty label that’s backed four straight Palme d’Or winners, including last year’s “Anatomy of a Fall” and “Parasite.” The Directors Guild of America has also voiced support for Rasoulof “in his flight from unjust sentencing.” Lesli Linka Glatter, its president, said in a statement: “We stand in solidarity with him as he seeks safe harbor.”

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