Artist Talk. The Hollywood Reporter Award: Mohammad Rasoulof

In the organizer's words:

On behalf of Mohammad Rasoulof: Amin Sadraei, Mahsa Rostami and Setareh Maleki.

Mohammad Rasoulof sees his work as a form of freedom struggle. But his political agenda is never at the expense of cinematic art. He always manages to address universal human issues while reflecting the specific conditions of life in Iran. Born in 1973, his work includes award-winning films such as MANUSCRIPTS DON'T BURN (2013), A MAN OF INTEGRITY (2017) and DOCH DAS BÖSS GIBT ES NICHT (2020), which deal with the contradictions and injustices of the politics and society of his native country. What particularly distinguishes Rasoulof is his ability to wrap complex themes such as responsibility, guilt and moral integrity in powerful, deeply moving narratives.

Rasoulof's commitment has regularly brought him into conflict with the authorities. Despite repeated arrests, bans on his films and harassment, he has not been deterred from his mission to bring to light the repression suffered by the Iranian people. This year, however, he was forced to flee Iran as he was threatened with a long prison sentence. He is already experiencing the world premiere of his current film THE SEED OF HOLY FIGS at the Cannes Film Festival in May while in exile. The film was produced by the Hamburg-based company Run Way Pictures and is entering the Oscar race for Germany.

All about the power of images in film, pop culture, art and society. At FILM FESTIVAL COLOGNE from October 17-24, 2024 and always online.