The Seed of the Sacred Fig

The courage of staring at the violence and brutality and not looking away.

As with Holocaust film Zone of Interest in which the loving man of the house by night is committing murder by day, here too the family man's crimes are evident in the background events occurring every day in the news (real newsclips shown, often from people's phones) and outside the window where thousands of pro-democracy protesters are being beaten to a pulp and shot. We are reminded as we watch this that these events occurred just yesteryear, at the very heart of the jihadist beast that has cost millions of lives around the world, and here are everyday people living in its capital who would have avoided being political yesterday, but find themselves conflicted by their own values today. From this conflict is awoken incredible courage. Set in Iran during its 2022-2023 protests, the events come home much more personally than the father, an investigator for the Islamic Revolutionary Court, could have imagined. No one can escape taking sides when the theocracy is so blatantly corrupt and deadly. Soheila Golestani plays an inspiring role as the wife, in an Oscar-worthy performance. The two teen actors who play the daughters are also very strong. One cannot imagine, until it happens, that this film will end as a drama that will have you on the edge of your seat. Easily one of the best films of 2024. Shot in secret given its anti-governmental stance.

This superb film well portrays what Hannah Arendt described as the atomisation of society, even within families, as one of the functions of a totalitarian regime. As the story progresses you witness the breakdown of the family bonds as the father's loyalty to the regime eventually overcomes his loyalty to his wife and two daughters. The film draws us in viscerally to the horrors of Iranian theocracy and the courage of those who oppose its mindless brutality and cruelty. Beautifully acted, suspenseful and thought provoking. One you won't forget.

Mohammad Rasoulof's The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a tense family drama set within the Women's rights movement in Iran. While a bit hindered by an overlong middle stretch, it's undeniable how powerful the film is in its creation, content & courage. Captivating!

I think I may have missed the point on this one. Not sure what it was trying to say.

A must see. Never forget what happened.

Great acting, great dialogue, filming etc. A bit lengthy toward the end. The accent is on the vicious circle of lies and loyalties from society down to its smallest. ELL, the family.

Initially, I thought if this was shot in secret, production quality must be awful and so decided not to see it but after its Golden Globe nomination, I thought I check it out. Boy, that is a big mistake because while production quality is not bad, these films tend to be overlong and soap opera-ish. I mean 3 hours of asking who stole my gun is tedious and boring. This is a call to action for Iranian women against archaic laws and traditions in backdrop of protests against the real life woman killed for not wearing her hijab. Ending felt somewhat silly with a hide and seek and seriously, a daughter gonna point a gun at her dad? Even dozing off a few times did not help movie much because it was simply very long and boring.

Great subject matter. The analogy between the family and the state of Iran was very well done.

LOVE THE SUBJECT MATTER AND ADMIRE THE WORK PUT INTO FILM WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN HARD TO FILM. BUT THE FIRST 2 THIRDS GOT WASTED ON ME WHEN IT STARTED AS A GRIPPING DRAMA OF THE CURRENT STATE OF IRAN AND FIZZLED INTO THE END PARTS OF THE SHINING. I EXPECTED THE FATHER TO SAY "HERE'S IMANI!"