Mohammad Rasoulof’s Oscar Hopeful ‘The Seed of The Sacred Fig’ Continues Prize-Winning Run With Arab Critics’ Award – El Gouna
deadline.comIranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s Oscar hopeful The Seed of the Sacred Fig has won the sixth edition of the Arab Critics‘ Award for European Films, a joint initiative between European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Arab Cinema Center (ACC).
The drama, produced by Germany’s Run Way Pictures in co-production with Parallel45, ARTE France Cinéma, was among 22 European-produced films in the running for the award, voted on by 89 critics from 15 Arab countries, Taking inspiration from Iran’s Woman Life Freedom protests, the film revolves around a devout man who is promoted to the position of investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, just as his daughters become swept up in the pro-equal rights and democracy movement.
The award was announced on the fringes of Egypt‘s El Gouna International Film Festival. Rasoulof could not attend in person, but sent greetings via a video message, while producer Mani Tilgner at Run Way Pictures received the trophy on his behalf. “This recognition assures us that we not only succeeded in producing a good film under difficult conditions but also in telling a story that moves people around the world—whether in the USA, Europe, or the Arab countries,” said Tilgner.
The film, which is representing Germany in the Best International Feature Film category of the 97th the Academy awards, premiered in Competition at Cannes Film Festival shortly after dissident director Rasoulof’s dramatic escape to Europe, There, 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.
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