Mohammad Rasoulof is an Iranian filmmaker who transitioned from creating acclaimed cinema within his home country to living in European exile following a 2024 prison sentence. His career, spanning writing, directing, and producing, is defined by films that frequently conflict with state authorities, resulting in repeated arrests, travel bans, and an arduous journey to reach safety in Germany.
Early Career and Education
Born in Shiraz, Iran, on 16 November 1972, Rasoulof studied sociology at Shiraz University before focusing on film editing at Soore University in Tehran. His entry into feature filmmaking occurred in 2002 with The Twilight, which secured the Crystal Simorgh for Best First Film at the Fajr International Film Festival. Subsequent early works included Iron Island, released in 2005, and The White Meadows, which debuted in 2009.
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Rasoulof garnered significant international attention through selections at the Cannes Film Festival. Goodbye premiered in the Un Certain Regard section in 2011, winning a directing prize, while Manuscripts Don't Burn earned the FIPRESCI Prize in 2013. In 2017, his film A Man of Integrity claimed the top prize in the Un Certain Regard category. His success continued with the 2020 film There Is No Evil, which was awarded the Golden Bear at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival and the Sydney Film Prize in 2021.
Legal Conflicts and Escape
Government scrutiny of his work began as early as 2010, leading to multiple arrests and the confiscation of his passport in 2017. Following the selection of The Seed of the Sacred Fig for the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, authorities sentenced him to eight years in prison, along with flogging and fines. Rasoulof initiated a 28-day escape plan, eventually reaching Germany with assistance from consulate authorities after crossing the border on foot. He appeared on the Cannes red carpet in May 2024 to receive a Special Award.
Recent Advocacy
Beyond his directorial work, Rasoulof has utilized his platform to criticize Iranian state actions. In 2026, he joined other intellectuals and human rights figures, including Jafar Panahi and Narges Mohammadi, to release statements condemning massacres in Iran. These documents described government-imposed communication blackouts and formally accused Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei of bearing primary responsibility for crimes against humanity.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 November 1972, Shiraz, Iran
- Education: Shiraz University (Sociology), Soore University (Film Editing)
- Notable Awards: Golden Bear (2020), Lumière Award (2025), Berliner Bär (2025)
- Time 100 Honoree: 2025
- Exile: Relocated to Germany in 2024
- Notable Works: The Twilight, Iron Island, Goodbye, There Is No Evil
Questions readers ask
Why was Mohammad Rasoulof sentenced to prison in 2024?
He was sentenced to eight years in prison, flogging, and fines following the selection of his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig for the Cannes Film Festival.
How did Rasoulof escape Iran?
He traveled on foot with a guide to a border village, waited for an opportunity to cross, and eventually contacted the German consulate to receive travel documents.
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