Latest news with #Golestani
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rotterdam Festival Head Says ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig' Actor Soheila Golestani Is ‘Victim of Oppression' Following Travel Ban
Soheila Golestani, the Iranian actor who stars in Mohammad Rasoulof's Oscar-nominated drama 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig,' has been banned from leaving Iran to serve on the Tiger Competition jury at this year's International Film Festival Rotterdam. Festival director Vanja Kaludjercic spoke against the travel ban on Friday, saying the festival team is 'saddened but not surprised' that the actor has been forbidden from leaving Iran. 'Having seen Mohammad's journey with this vital project is to have witnessed time and again the real consequences of speaking truth to power,' continued Kaludjercic, referring to Rasoulof's film, which won the Jury Special Prize at Cannes. 'Mohammad joins us [at Rotterdam film festival] both to share his film and also participate on a panel about cinema in the face of a rise of authoritarianism — and Soheila's experience underscores how real and urgent these issues are.' More from Variety Indian Director Nishanth Kalidindi Explores Artists' Double Lives in Rotterdam-Bound 'Theatre' Indian Folk Horror 'Bokshi' Lands at Alief Ahead of Rotterdam Premiere, Clip Unveiled (EXCLUSIVE) Michiel ten Horn's Rotterdam Opener 'Fabula' Offers a Darkly Humorous Look at Redemption: 'It's Like 'A Christmas Carol'' She added: 'We stand with her in solidarity and hope that she is supported by the global film community at this time — as she is the victim of oppression and a backlash for speaking out that many artists know all too well.' Variety understands that Rasoulof is still scheduled to appear at the festival, not only in support of 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' but as a special guest and speaker at a Tiger Talk titled 'Cinema and the Rise of Authoritarianism' held in partnership with the International Coalition for Filmmakers at Risk, of which IFFR is a founding member together with IDFA and the European Film Academy. Other speakers include Albertina Carri, Pier Giorgio Bellocchio and Erhan Örs. The talk is scheduled for Feb. 3. Golestani was to have served on the Tiger Competition jury alongside British director Peter Strickland, Indonesian producer and filmmaker Yuki Aditya, Hong Kong singer and actress Winnie Lau, and German artist and filmmaker Andrea Luka Zimmerman. Rasoulof fled his home country of Iran for Germany last year after being sentenced to eight years in prison by the country's authorities, who pressured him to pull 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' from the Cannes Film Festival and harassed the film's producers and actors. The filmmaker is still wanted by authorities. As for Golestani, the charges aren't yet clear. Variety learned the actor is currently accused of propaganda against the Iranian regime and promoting immorality through her role in Rasoulof's latest. The court case has been held but no verdict has been issued yet. Golestani has also not yet released an official statement. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025 What's Coming to Disney+ in February 2025
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Seed Of The Sacred Fig' Actress Soheila Golestani Barred From Leaving Iran To Serve On Rotterdam Jury
Iranian filmmaker and actress Soheila Golestani, who was unveiled as part of the International Film Festival Rotterdam's (IFFR) Tiger Competition jury, has been barred from leaving Iran to travel to the festival. Golestani starred in Mohammad Rasoulof's Oscar-nominated The Seed of the Sacred Fig which is screening in the festival's Limelight section. More from Deadline MAD World Boards Sales On Lebanese Couple Drama 'Dead Dog' Ahead Of Rotterdam Premiere 'The Count Of Monte Cristo' Leads Nominations For France's Césars 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More Deadline understands that Golestani has been accused of propaganda against the Iranian regime and promoting immorality because of her role in the film, charges which she denies. The court has been held, but no verdict has been issued yet. 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. Golestani was slated to sit on the competition jury alongside Yuki Aditya, Winnie Lau, Peter Strickland and Andrea Luka Zimmerman. The Seed of the Sacred Fig director Mohammad Rasoulof will appear at the festival and is also scheduled to speak on a panel titled 'Cinema and the Rise of Authoritarianism' on February 3. Back in Iran, the filmmaker who fled the country last year is wanted by authorities who have sentenced him to eight years in prison alongside a series of physical punishments. The Seed Of The Sacred Fig Tree premiered in Cannes last May, where it won the Special Jury Prize. Golestani and male lead Missagh Zare were unable to leave Iran for the premiere. Rasoulof signaled their absence by holding up photos of them on red carpet and at the photocall. Best of Deadline 2025 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Oscars, Spirits, Grammys, Tonys, Guilds & More How to Watch The 67th Annual Grammy Awards Online And With Cable 'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms': Everything We Know About The 'Game Of Thrones' Prequel, Including Plot, Premiere Date & Whether George R.R. Martin Is Involved
