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Cannes 2024: Iranian Director Mohammad Rasoulof Gets Banned From Attending The Film Festival

Iranian authorities have forbidden actors and crew members involved in Mohammed Rasoulof's film The Seed Of The Sacred Fig from leaving the country to attend the prestigious film festival, Cannes 2024. This is not the first time. Read on to know more about it!

TN Entertainment Desk

Updated May 3, 2024, 21:38 IST

Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof faces another year of disappointment as he's barred from attending this year's prestigious Cannes Film Festival. His latest film, The Seed of the Sacred Fig, is in contention for the coveted Palme d'Or, but he'll miss the chance to witness its reception firsthand due to government restrictions.

Mohammad Rasoulof and The Seed Of The Sacred Fig crew banned from Cannes 2024

This isn't the first time Rasoulof has been sidelined from Cannes. For those who don't know, last year too, he missed the festival due to similar travel constraints imposed by Iranian authorities. His outspoken criticism of the Iranian government has made him a target, resulting in imprisonment and a subsequent ban on leaving the country.

Despite a brief reprieve from prison due to health issues, Mohammad Rasoulof's freedom remains limited. His situation mirrors that of 2023 when he was unable to serve on the Cannes Un Certain Regard jury due to travel restrictions.

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He gained international acclaim in 2020 for his film There is No Evil, which boldly condemned capital punishment and earned him the prestigious Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.

However, he returned to Iran in 2017, when he was banned from making films and travelling beyond the country's borders after being charged with making "propaganda against the system" with his films, according to Deadline.

More about ban on Iranian directors

Sadly, Rasoulof isn't the only Iranian director facing such hurdles. Jafar Panahi, renowned for his debut film The White Balloon, has been under similar restrictions since 2010. Accused of threatening national security, Panahi has been banned from leaving Iran, filmmaking, and media interaction.

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Despite these constraints, Panahi's passion for cinema endures. He has secretly produced three films, including Three Faces, which competed for the Palme d'Or in 2018, showcasing his resilience and commitment to his craft.

The struggles of Rasoulof and Panahi shed light on the challenges faced by dissident filmmakers in Iran.

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