The story of the making of The Seed of the Sacred Fig is harrowing. Iranian film maker Rasoulof filmed it in secret while being sentenced to prison for dissidence, only to escape to Germany where the film was finally edited and screened winning awards and playing at international festivals from Berlin to Cannes to Toronto. It incorporates real footage of protests in Iran featuring brutal scenes along side its fictional yet fact based plot. Yet even without all of this background Seed is a powerful and beautiful film that is fascinating to watch.
The film looks specifically into Iranian governmental corruption but its themes are not limited to that country. One could recognize similar authoritarian policies around the globe. Its story feels universal.
Many of the cast have had to flee Iran as well. The performances here are all strong, especially when one considers that they were filming everything in secret, even the outdoor scenes. The cast comes together so well bringing this story a real gravitas.
Rasoulof drags out some of his scenes. Even near the end with a few tense chase scenes, he takes a long time to get to where he is going which strips some of the power of the story. Yet Seed remains gripping and tragic with some hope for the future, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a film you'll remember.
The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Starring: Soheila Golestani, Missagh Zareh, Mahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi, Amineh Arani
Writer/Director: Mohammad Rasoulof
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