National Museum of Asian Art Freer Gallery of Art
Jefferson Drive and 12th St., SW
Washington, DC
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This political thriller and drama was filmed in secret before its director, Mohammad Rasoulof (There Is No Evil, Manuscripts Don’t Burn), fled Iran in exile. The Seed of the Sacred Fig portrays the ways authoritarian power infects and corrupts the psyche—much like the titular fig, which is a parasite that eventually takes over its host plant.
Honest and devout lawyer Iman is appointed as an investigating judge. At first, he struggles with moral qualms about the pressure he faces to deal out death sentences. Then, the Women, Life, Freedom protests erupt in the streets. His mind begins to change, and he becomes paranoid to the point of distrusting his own wife and daughters.
Rasoulof is a passionately political filmmaker who has spent time in prison for his outspokenness. His final film in Iran is perhaps his most damning statement about the Iranian regime.
(Dir.: Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran/Germany/France, 2024, 168 min., DCP, Persian with English subtitles)
Films are shown in the 300-seat Meyer Auditorium. Preregistration (up to four tickets per person per film) is encouraged but not required. Seating is available on a first–come, first–served basis for patrons without tickets.
Image courtesy of Neon Rated
This political thriller and drama was filmed in secret before its director, Mohammad Rasoulof (There Is No Evil, Manuscripts Don’t Burn), fled Iran in exile. The Seed of the Sacred Fig portrays the ways authoritarian power infects and corrupts the psyche—much like the titular fig, which is a parasite that eventually takes over its host plant.
Honest and devout lawyer Iman is appointed as an investigating judge. At first, he struggles with moral qualms about the pressure he faces to deal out death sentences. Then, the Women, Life, Freedom protests erupt in the streets. His mind begins to change, and he becomes paranoid to the point of distrusting his own wife and daughters.
Rasoulof is a passionately political filmmaker who has spent time in prison for his outspokenness. His final film in Iran is perhaps his most damning statement about the Iranian regime.
(Dir.: Mohammad Rasoulof, Iran/Germany/France, 2024, 168 min., DCP, Persian with English subtitles)
Films are shown in the 300-seat Meyer Auditorium. Preregistration (up to four tickets per person per film) is encouraged but not required. Seating is available on a first–come, first–served basis for patrons without tickets.
Image courtesy of Neon Rated
