Oscars:
Germany Submits Mohammad Rasoulof’s
‘The Seed Of The Sacred Fig’ For International Feature Film Race

By Melanie Goodfellow, Senior International Film Correspondent
August 22, 2024

Germany has selected Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s drama The Seed of the Sacred Fig as its submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.

This decision was taken by an independent jury of experts appointed by German Films, who looked at 13 films submitted for consideration.

Rasoulof has been living in Germany ever since his dramatic flight from his native Iran in May, in the face of fresh threats of a flogging and imprisonment from the country’s authoritarian Islamic Republic regime.



“It is an outstanding work by one of the great directors of world cinema and someone who has found refuge in Germany from state despotism in Iran,” the committee said in a statement explaining its choice. “We are very happy to know that Rasoulof is safe in our country. And we are delighted that he will be representing Germany at the Oscars in 2025.”

Taking inspiration from the Woman Life Freedom pro-democracy protests which swept Iran in September 2022, in response to the killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a political thriller mixing fiction with authentic images of the demonstrations.

Misagh Zareh stars as Iman, a devout man who is promoted to the position of investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran just as a huge protest movement sweeps the country following the death of a young woman.

As the state cracks down with tougher measures, he sides with the regime, upsetting the balance of his family, as his daughters are swept up in the events and his wife desperately tries to keep everyone together.

When Iman discovers that his service weapon has disappeared, he comes to suspect a family member is responsible for the theft.

The film premiered in Competition at Cannes Film Festival shortly after Rasoulof’s dramatic escape to Europe, where it received the Competition’s Special Jury Prize, the FIPRESCI Prize, the European Art House Cinemas Award (AFCAE), the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Prix François Chalais for Best Film. Rasoulof attended the first screening.

It has since won the Audience Award in Sydney and also screened at Locarno ahead of playing at Toronto, San Sebastian and a number of other fall festivals. The picture also has been shortlisted for the European Film Award.

Rasoulof and the producers Mani Tilgner, Rozita Hendijanian and Amin Sadraei said they were “deeply honored” by the selection.

“This film, which tells the story of oppression, but also of hope and resistance, is the result of a unique collaboration between people with very different realities of life and migration histories,” they said in a statement.

“It shows how powerful intercultural exchange can exist in a free and open society. We are delighted to be part of the international competition for the Oscars.”

The Seed of the Sacred Fig was produced by Run Way Pictures in co-production with Parallel45, ARTE France Cinéma and with the participation of ARTE France and in co-operation with Films Boutique.

The film was supported by L’ Aide aux Cinémas du Monde, Centre National du Cinéma et de L’ image Animée, Institut Français and MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein.

German distributor Alamode will release the film in German cinemas on December 26.  Films Boutique is handling international sales. In North America, Neon will release the film in U.S. cinemas nationwide on November 27.