Renowned Iranian director escapes to Europe following imprisonment and flogging verdict
The director, known for his upcoming film “The Blossom of the Ancient Oak” scheduled for debut at the Venice Film Festival, faces allegations of breaching national security laws.
Mohammad Rasoulof, a respected filmmaker from Iran, has shared that he has left his home country and is now in Europe, keeping his location secret. This decision came after he was sentenced to prison by an Iranian court on national security grounds.
Expressing his strong disapproval of the Iranian government, Rasoulof took to Instagram on Monday to criticize the regime, labeling it as tyrannical and oppressive. He also posted a video showing his journey across the mountainous border of the country.
He stated, "If geographical Iran is oppressed by your religious dictatorship, cultural Iran thrives in the hearts of millions of Iranians who were forced to flee due to your cruelty. No force can control it. Today, I identify as a resident of cultural Iran."
In a different statement on May 12, Rasoulof shared that he chose to leave Iran upon learning from his lawyers that his prison sentence would be carried out soon.
With a heavy heart, he had to make a difficult decision between going to prison or leaving Iran. In the end, he chose exile, as mentioned in a statement provided by a spokesperson.
CNN has contacted Iranian authorities for their response. According to his lawyer Babak Paknia, an Iranian court sentenced Rasoulof to eight years in prison and flogging. The court deemed his films and documentaries as evidence of colluding to commit crimes against the country's security.
Rasoulof, known for his critical films, is one of the artists affected by the Iranian government's crackdown on dissent. This crackdown intensified after nationwide protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody in 2022. Mahsa Amini was detained for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly.
Rasoulof joined a group of artists and filmmakers in condemning the violent reaction of security forces to a 2022 protest in Abadan. The protest was in response to a building collapse that tragically claimed the lives of over 40 individuals.
Rasoulof received the Golden Bear award for best film at the Berlinale festival in 2020 for his work on "There Is No Evil." Additionally, his film "A Man of Integrity" was honored with a "Certain Regard" recognition at the Cannes Film Festival in France in 2017.
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 19: Director Mohammad Rasoulof attends the "Lerd (Un Homme Integre)" photocall during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2017 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
Director Mohammad Rasoulof was seen attending the photocall for his film "Lerd (Un Homme Integre)" during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 19, 2017 in Cannes, France. The event was captured by photographer Andreas Rentz.
Related article
Iran sentences renowned director to 8 years in prison and flogging, lawyer says
The filmmaker's upcoming film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," is scheduled to debut at the Cannes Film Festival next week. However, there is uncertainty surrounding whether he will be able to attend the event.
Jean-Christophe Simon, the distributor for Mohammad Rasoulof's latest film, expressed his joy and relief at Rasoulof safely arriving in Europe after a perilous journey.
The Films Boutique and Parallel45 executive expressed his hope that Rasoulof can make it to the Cannes premiere of his film, despite efforts to stop him from attending in person.
Rasoulof mentioned on Instagram that he is currently focusing on completing the final technical aspects of his film's post-production.
He expressed gratitude to the many individuals who contributed to the making of the film. He also shared his concern for their safety and well-being, as he accused the Iranian government of pressuring his production team through interrogations, court filings, and travel restrictions.
Rasoulof did not provide details on how he managed to leave Iran, but he mentioned that he did so covertly with the assistance of friends and acquaintances.
In 2022, an Iranian court sentenced Rasoulof to one year in prison and banned him from making films for two years on the charge of “propaganda against the system,” according to Human Rights Watch. Iranian authorities have previously arrested him multiple times and confiscated his passport because of his work, HRW said.
Additional reporting by Michael Rios
Editor's P/S:
Mohammad Rasoulof
