Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1972-11-16
- Born Place: Shiraz, Iran
Also Known As:
Мохаммад Расулоф, محمد رسولاف, محمد رسول اف
Mohammad Rasoulof
Mohammad Rasoulof, born in Shiraz, Iran, in 1972, is an independent filmmaker known for his critical stance against the Iranian government. He studied Sociology at Shiraz University and Film Editing at the Sooreh Higher Education Institute in Tehran. Rasoulof began his artistic journey at age nine in theatre before venturing into short films and documentaries. His notable works include "Iron Island" (2005), "Goodbye" (2011), "Manuscripts Don't Burn" (2013), "A Man of Integrity" (2017), "There Is No Evil" (2020), and his latest, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" (2024).Throughout his career, Rasoulof has faced significant legal challenges and persecution from Iranian authorities due to the themes explored in his films, which often depict social issues and the impact of the government on individuals. He was arrested in 2010 while filming and subsequently sentenced to prison. Although the sentence was reduced, he has continually faced arrests, travel bans, and imprisonment, including a seven-month sentence in 2022. Despite these challenges, his films have received international acclaim, with awards such as Best Director at Cannes' Un Certain Regard for "Goodbye," the Grand Prize in Un Certain Regard for "A Man of Integrity," and the Golden Bear at the Berlinale for "There Is No Evil." In 2024, after being sentenced to eight years in prison, flogging, a fine, and property confiscation, Rasoulof fled Iran to attend the Cannes Film Festival where "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" won the Special Jury Prize.
