The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s films have repeatedly run afoul of his government’s restrictive censorship rules. (Yes, I know. What doesn’t, in Iran?) He has been sentenced to prison time, a public flogging, a hefty fine, and so forth. Fortunately, Rasoulof now lives in exile in Germany – likely never to return to his homeland again. And while I never wish to see anyone unable to return to his motherland, Rasoulof’s new film “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is a masterful triumph, sure to open the eyes of many who haven’t paid attention to the recent fate of the Iranian people.
The title
The title refers to a certain fig species which is said to grasp onto another plant and strangle it – much the way a python strangles its prey. The symbolism here is to parallel the prohibitory leadership of one of the least accessible governments in the world. In Iran, all forms of protest and agitation are immediately suppressed, typically without a trial (or at least a fair trial), and result in death at the hands of the unelected government. Social media and internet access are strictly regulated. News media must report the news exactly as the government dictates. If you are upset with our country’s government, you won’t be after watching “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.”
The story
Rasoulof’s original screenplay centers around Iman, played by Missagh Zareh. Iman is, by all outward appearances, a good and decent family man. His many years of devoted government work have recently resulted in a major promotion, with an accompanying significant raise in pay. Iman is a new investigating judge with Iran’s Revolutionary Court. Established following the 1979 revolution, this is the court that tries those suspected of inciting violence against the regime, insulting the country’s leaders, and the like.
The dilemma
As an honest man, Iman’s wants to give suspects the benefit of the doubt and try each case in a “Western” fashion. But that philosophy runs against his directive – which is to simply rubber-stamp all prosecutions, essentially sentencing hundreds of mostly young, rebellious Iranians to certain death every day. Iman is obviously torn between his own morals and his devotion to the government which has put its faith in him for many years. If he refuses to approve these judgements, he’ll likely lose his job – and may, himself, be sentenced to death or to a lengthy prison sentence. But if he plays the government’s game, will he be able to live with himself?
The daughters
Complicating matters is the fact that Iman’s daughters – a college freshman and a late high-schooler – are at that rebellious stage in life. They and their friends believe in the just cause of the 2022-2023 anti-government protests, and the elder daughter has a good friend who has been severely beaten by law enforcement officials. Threading this fine line is Iman’s wife Najmeh, played by Soheila Golestani, in the film’s best performance. Her complex task is to shield Iman from the depths of his daughters’ convictions while shielding the girls from their father’s dilemma at work. Long hours and an arduous work environment have caused Iman to clam up; when the girls see him, he rarely speaks.
The gun
Furthermore, Iman’s government-issued gun has mysteriously disappeared. Assuming Najmeh or one of the girls must have taken it, Iman “kidnaps” his family and returns to his childhood home in the country for a riveting third act, which is reminiscent of “The Shining” in its cinematography and its sheer horror. For its strictly Iranian subject matter, set against the backdrop of one of the world’s most oppressive regimes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” has a very American feel to it. We know this is a foreign film, but it’s extremely relatable, a la Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar winner “Parasite.”
The well-drawn characters are relatable, and the screenplay is instantly engrossing. There’s very little “down time” here, particularly as the story advances. We have a tendency to close our eyes to the problems and concerns of those living in the “rest of the world.” The plight of the Iranian people is one we should not overlook. We can only hope this restrictive reign will meet the same fate as that of the Assad regime in Syria. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” is one of this year’s best films and should be seen by every American adult.
Andy Ray‘s reviews also appear on https://townepost.com/