Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, known for his critical films against the Iranian regime, has been named president of the New Currents jury at the upcoming Busan International Film Festival. His appointment comes amidst his ongoing exile from Iran, where he was sentenced to prison for his work.
The Cannes Film Festival has expanded its competition lineup with two international titles: Michel Hazanavicius’ animated feature ‘The Most Precious of Cargoes’ and Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig.’
‘The Most Precious of Cargoes’ is an auteur-driven film adapted from Jean-Claude Grumberg’s novel. Set during World War II, it follows the intertwined fates of a Jewish family deported to Auschwitz and a woodcutter couple who discover an abandoned twin baby.
Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ remains shrouded in secrecy, with its plot details under wraps. Rasoulof has faced government censorship in Iran and was prevented from attending last year’s Cannes jury due to travel restrictions.
These additions join a stellar lineup of iconic filmmakers competing at Cannes, including Francis Ford Coppola, George Miller, and George Lucas.
