Mohammad Rasoulof, sentenced to eight-year in prison, flees Iran ahead of his film's Cannes premiere

Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulf was sentenced to eight years in jail after he refused to withdraw his film, 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig', from the upcoming edition of the renowned Cannes International Film Festival. The filmmaker, speaking to Deadline, has now revealed that he has fled from his home country. He was previously banned by Tehran from attending the film festival.

'I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran'

The Iranian filmmaker's statement read, "I arrived in Europe a few days ago after a long and complicated journey. About a month ago, my lawyers informed me that my eight-year prison sentence was confirmed in the court of appeal and would be implemented on short notice. Knowing that the news of my new film would be revealed very soon, I knew that without a doubt, a new sentence would be added to these eight years. I didn’t have much time to make a decision. I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran. With a heavy heart, I chose exile. The Islamic Republic confiscated my passport in September 2017. Therefore, I had to leave Iran secretly."

Mohammad also highlighted how civil rights advocates and individuals who speak out against the establishment are targeted by the government. He concluded his statement by imploring the global film community to embrace free expression. He also voiced his concern for the health and safety of the people who assisted him in creating 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig'.

'In a safe place'

In an Instagram post, the filmmaker mentioned that he was in a 'safe place' after people 'risked their lives' to help him cross borders. "I am grateful to my friends, acquaintances, and people who kindly, selflessly, and sometimes by risking their lives, helped me get out of the border and reach safety after a difficult and long journey," he wrote in his post on Monday.

'The Seed of the Fig' is to be premiered at the Cannes Festival, which opens on Tuesday.

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