Movie Info:
Shot entirely in secret, Mohammad Rasoulof’s award-winning thriller, THE SEED OF THE SACRED FIG, centers on a family thrust into the public eye when Iman is appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran. As political unrest erupts in the streets, Iman realizes that his job is even more dangerous than expected, making him increasingly paranoid and distrustful, even of his own wife Najmeh and daughters Sana and Rezvan.
Review:
When you think of a film directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, you might expect a heavy, politically charged drama. But in “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” Rasoulof takes a sharp turn into the realm of psychological thriller with a touch of dark comedy. The film stars Soheila Golestani as Najmeh, Missagh Zareh as Iman, Mahsa Rostami as Rezvan, and Setareh Maleki as Sana. Together, they weave a tale of paranoia, family strife, and the absurdity of authoritarian control.
The story follows Iman, a devout and honest lawyer who has just been appointed as an investigating judge in the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The position comes with a higher salary and a larger apartment for his family, which seems like a dream come true. But as nationwide political protests against the authoritarian government unfold, Iman discovers that his new role is far from what he expected. Instead of using his legal expertise to investigate cases, he is expected to rubber-stamp judgments presented by his superiors, including death sentences.
The tension in the film builds as Iman’s life becomes pervaded by mistrust and paranoia. The government issues him a handgun for his family’s protection, but Iman is woefully unprepared to handle it and fails to store it securely. This sets the stage for a series of increasingly bizarre and darkly comedic events. As Iman is forced to sign several hundred death sentences a day, his daughters Rezvan and Sana follow the protests in horror on social media.
The family dynamic takes a turn for the worse when Rezvan and Sana rebel against their father at dinner, causing Iman to berate them for their feminist sensibilities, which he dismisses as enemy propaganda. Najmeh, who is just as devout as Iman, advises her daughters to stay away from their revolutionary friends, further straining the family. The situation escalates when Sadaf, a good friend of Rezvan’s, is shot in the face during a demonstration against compulsory hijab. Najmeh and her daughters provide first aid in their apartment and decide to keep the incident secret from Iman.
The film takes a darkly comedic turn when Iman’s handgun mysteriously disappears, and he becomes suspicious that someone in his family has taken it and is lying to him. He forces both daughters and his wife to meet with a colleague, Alireza, for interrogation. Iman justifies this treatment by saying that he no longer feels safe in his own home since he can no longer trust his family. This leads to a series of absurd and tense scenes that highlight the absurdity of the situation.
As the nationwide political protests intensify, Iman’s paranoia reaches new heights. His name, photo, and address are eventually posted on social media, forcing him to take drastic measures to protect his family. He decides to drive with his family to a childhood home in the mountains, where he puts the entire family on trial. He interrogates and tries to force them to confess on a camcorder, leading to a series of darkly comedic and tense moments.
The film reaches its climax when Sana reveals to her sister that she took the gun and has it now. Upon reaching his childhood home, Iman locks Rezvan and Najmeh up, but Sana escapes with the gun. After setting a trap, she is able to lock Iman in a shed and free her sister and mother before he breaks out. The film ends with a lengthy chase, during which Iman eventually catches Najmeh, and her screams lead Sana and Rezvan to them. Sana raises her gun at her father, but she hesitates to fire. When her father moves toward her, she panics and shoots the ground beneath him, causing the ground to collapse and Iman to fall to his presumed death.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is a masterful blend of political drama and dark comedy. Rasoulof’s direction is sharp and precise, capturing the absurdity of the situation while maintaining a sense of tension and urgency. The performances by Golestani, Zareh, Rostami, and Maleki are outstanding, bringing depth and nuance to their characters. The film’s visual style is striking, with a muted color palette that enhances the sense of paranoia and unease.
While the film is undeniably dark, it is also infused with moments of humor that provide a much-needed relief from the tension. The absurdity of Iman’s situation, combined with the darkly comedic elements, makes for a unique and engaging viewing experience. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is a powerful and thought-provoking film that offers a poignant commentary on the impact of authoritarianism on individuals and families.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is a must-watch for fans of political dramas and dark comedies. Rasoulof’s direction, combined with the stellar performances of the cast, makes this film a standout in the genre. It is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll, leaving you with a sense of unease and a deeper understanding of the human cost of authoritarianism.
**Letter Grade:** A
Credits:
Directed by
Written by
Mohammad Rasoulof
Produced by
- Mohammad Rasoulof
- Rozita Hendijanian
- Amin Sadraei
- Jean-Christophe Simon
- Mani Tilgner
Starring
- Soheila Golestani
- Missagh Zareh
- Mahsa Rostami
- Setareh Maleki
- Niousha Akhshi
- Amineh Arani
Cinematography
Pooyan Aghababaei
Edited by
Music by
Karzan Mahmood
Production
companies
- Run Way Pictures
- Parallel45
- Arte France Cinéma
Distributed by
- Pyramide Distribution (France)
- Alamode Film (Germany)
Release dates
- 24 May 2024(Cannes)
- 18 September 2024(France)
- 26 December 2024(Germany)
Running time
168 minutes
Countries
- Iran[1]
- Germany
- France
Language
Persian
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