Iranian director sentenced to eight years in prison and whipping: Who is Mohammad Rasoulof?
The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Iran sentenced Mohammad Rasoulof, one of the famous directors of Iranian political cinema, to eight years in prison. The director was also sentenced to flogging and his assets were also confiscated.
Mohammad Rasoulof, one of the famous names of Iranian political cinema, was sentenced to eight years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Iran. In addition to imprisonment, the director was also sentenced to flogging, and his assets were confiscated. The director's last film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival.
Films directed by Mohammad Rasoulof are generally banned in Iran and do not have a chance to screen in Iranian cinemas. Mohammad Rasoulof's films can only be shown at festivals.
Mohammad Rasoulof was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1972. He is an independent director, writer and producer. He studied sociology. Rasoulof started his filmmaking with documentaries and short films. For his first film 'Gagooman'(The Twilight, 2002) Rasoulof won the prize for the best film at the Fajr Film Festival in Iran.
The director's lawyer, Babak Paknia, announced the sentence received by Mohammad Rasoulof on the X account and said:
“The Islamic Revolutionary Tribunal of Iran sentenced Mohammad Rasoulof to eight years in prison and flogging. At the same time, the court seized the director's assets. "The decision was confirmed in the appeals court."
Pakina also said that the biggest reason for the director's punishment was Mohammad Rasoulof's public views and the films he directed. According to the court, the director's ideas and films constitute "an example of crimes against national security."
Who is Mohammad Rasoulof?
The director, known for his films "A Stubborn Man" and "There is No Evil", won the Golden Bear Award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2020 with his film "There is No Evil".
The director was detained in July 2022 due to his posts criticizing the harsh suppression of protests across the country. Resulof, who was temporarily released in 2023 due to health concerns, was later pardoned and sentenced to one year in prison.
The director was also banned from leaving Iran for two years.