WORLDFamous Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof sentenced to lashings and 8 years in prison ahead of Cannes film festival
Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, known for "There Is No Evil," has been sentenced to eight years in prison and lashings ahead of his Cannes Film Festival appearance. His lawyer revealed that Rasoulof, 51, faced trial in Tehran's Revolutionary Court for expressing support for Iranian people, deemed "actions against national security."
Rasoulof's sentencing reflects a broader crackdown on dissent, linked to protests following Mahsa Amini's 2022 death. Iranian authorities haven't officially acknowledged the sentence but have summoned crew members of Rasoulof's latest film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," pressuring withdrawal from Cannes.
This isn't Rasoulof's first encounter with censorship; he previously faced a travel ban and a year in prison for films labeled "propaganda against the system." Such actions against artists are part of Iran's stance against Western influence, contrasting with its global acclaim for thought-provoking cinema.
Similarly, other artists like Saeed Roustayi and rapper Toomaj Salehi faced legal actions or severe sentences for their expressions. The aftermath of Amini's death saw unrest and thousands of arrests, with Iranian officials attributing protests to foreign influence.
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