23.01.2025 | "The seed of the sacred fig"
With "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig", filmmaker and Hamburg resident Mohammad Rasoulof has made it to the final five films for the foreign Oscar - and is now nominated as the German entry for the film world's most important prize. Following İlker Çatak's nomination last year for "The Teachers' Lounge", this is the second time in a row that a Hamburg project has been nominated for the Oscars in Los Angeles.
Dr Carsten Brosda, Senator for Culture and Media Hamburg: "Congratulations to Mohammad Rasoulof and the MOIN Film Fund! The Oscar nomination for "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig" is not only a tribute to an outstanding artistic achievement, but also a strong sign of the freedom of art and the great good of democracy. Who would have dared to hope nine months ago that Mohammad Rasoulof's escape from Tehran would lead via Hamburg to Hollywood. His journey is shocking and at the same time shows with confidence that art can overcome borders that seem politically unbridgeable. His film makes it impressively clear that respect and love for one another are the essence of human existence and that we should do everything we can to live together peacefully in diversity. We are eagerly awaiting 2 March!"
Helge Albers, CEO of MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "Hamburg on course for an Oscar! Mohammad Rasoulof has had an incredible journey with his drama "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig": filmed under the most adverse conditions in Iran, followed by his escape, then the world premiere and four awards in Cannes - and now a nomination at the Oscars as the German entry. That alone would be enough material for a film. We are delighted for Rasoulof and his entire team, who have really achieved great things here. Fingers crossed for the Oscars on 2 March.
Rasoulof's political family drama "The Seeds of the Sacred Fig Tree" was produced by Hamburg-based production company Run Way Pictures and financially supported by the MOIN Film Fund. Also involved from the Hanseatic city: editor Andrew Bird ("Soul Kitchen", "Tschick", "Into the Fate") as well as Optical Art and Loft Studios for post production. The film is about Iman, who has just been promoted to investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran when a huge protest movement sweeps the country following the death of a young woman. Although the demonstrations increase and the state takes ever tougher measures, Iman decides to side with the regime, upsetting the balance of his family.
At the 77th Cannes International Film Festival, Mohammad Rasoulof won the Special Jury Prize, among other honours. In addition to its German premiere at Filmfest Hamburg, the film was also shown in Locarno at the Piazza Grande and at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024. It was also nominated for the Golden Globes (Best Picture in non-English language ) and the BAFTA Awards (Film not in English language).
The Oscars Distribution will take place on 2 March 2025 in Los Angeles.
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