The renowned Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to eight years in prison and lashings just before his planned trip to the Cannes film festival. Rasoulof, 51, is best known for his film 'There Is No Evil' and has now become the latest artist to be targeted in a broader crackdown on dissent in the Islamic Republic following years of mass protests.
Iranian authorities have not officially acknowledged the sentence, but Rasoulof, along with other artists, had signed a letter urging authorities to 'put your gun down' during demonstrations over a 2022 building collapse in Abadan that claimed at least 29 lives. Since then, various individuals, including artists, athletes, and celebrities, have faced questioning or prison sentences.
Rasoulof's lawyer revealed that the judgment was issued due to his support for the Iranian people through statements, tweets, and social activities, which were deemed as 'action against national security.' The director faced trial in Tehran's Revolutionary Court, where he also faces lashings, fines, and asset seizures.
The tribunals in Iran, particularly the Revolutionary Court, have been criticized internationally for their lack of transparency, denying defendants the right to choose their own legal representation or review the evidence against them in closed-door hearings.
Rasoulof had been set to premiere his new film, 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig,' at Cannes later this month. His previous work, 'There Is No Evil,' which explores the use of the death penalty in Iran, won the Golden Bear prize at the Berlin Film Festival in 2020. However, due to a travel ban imposed by Iranian authorities, Rasoulof was unable to attend the award ceremony and was subsequently sentenced to a year in prison for three films deemed as 'propaganda against the system.'
Despite facing repeated legal challenges and film bans in Iran, Rasoulof's work has gained international recognition for its daring and thought-provoking portrayal of life in the Islamic Republic. The Iranian government has often criticized Western-embraced artists as part of a 'soft war' against its policies, yet Iranian cinema has earned a reputation on the global stage for its insightful depiction of societal challenges.
Last year, filmmaker Saeed Roustayi and his producer also faced legal repercussions after showcasing their film 'Leila's Brothers' at Cannes, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by artists in Iran.
