Mohammad Rasoulof, an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker known for his critical stance against the Iranian government, has fled Iran for Europe. This move came after an Iranian court sentenced him to eight years in prison and flogging, according to his lawyer Babak Paknia. The charges were related to his films and documentaries, which the court deemed as colluding against national security.
Rasoulof announced his departure in an Instagram post, where he vehemently criticized the Iranian government, referring to it as a tyrannical regime. He mentioned his decision to leave was prompted by the sudden implementation of his prison sentence. In his statement, Rasoulof expressed a preference for exile over imprisonment. His recent escape was facilitated secretly with the help of friends.
The filmmaker has been a vocal critic of governmental policies in Iran. He was part of a group that condemned the violent suppression of a protest in 2022 following a fatal building collapse in Abadan. Rasoulof's dissent has led to multiple arrests and restrictions in the past, including a one-year prison sentence in 2022 for "propaganda against the system" and a two-year ban from filmmaking.
Despite these challenges, Rasoulof's work continues to receive international acclaim. His film "There Is No Evil" won the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlinale festival, and "A Man of Integrity" received a honor at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. His latest film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," is set to premiere at Cannes, though his attendance is uncertain.
Rasoulof's relocation has sparked concern for his production team in Iran, who he claims are facing government pressure. As he settles in Europe, he plans to complete the post-production of his latest film swiftly.