Film Showing: The Seed of the Sacred Fig

The Seed of the Sacred Fig was filmed secretly in Iran. A lawyer named Iman, a staunch believer in the oppressive and patriarchal Islamic Republic, has just gotten a promotion which gives him authority over defendants’ life and death. But he must rubber stamp judgments without looking at the evidence. As he confronts his new role, Iran’s streets are filled with the Women Life Freedom movement.  His own daughters are riveted on the protests – what to believe? The official government lies, or the reality they see out their window?

Mohammed Rasoulof is an influential Iranian filmmaker known for his thought-provoking and politically charged cinema. He has faced constant threats and persecution from the Iranian government.

In 2024, The Seed of the Sacred Fig was nominated at the Cannes Film Festival for the Palm D’Or. Days before the screening of the film, the Islamic Republic of Iran sentenced him to 8 years in prison, whipping, and a fine because of his films and political activism. Rasoulof fled on foot to Germany where he now lives in exile.

Our screening is dedicated to the people of Iran, as they face the onslaught of war by the US and Israel and at the same time have been living under and struggling against the repressive Islamic Republic.