2 months ago
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Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof, manager of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, has spoken retired pursuing the decease of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Saturday successful a associated U.S. and Israeli subject strike, according to Iranian authorities media.
In a societal media station published Sunday, Rasoulof described Khamenei arsenic “the astir hated fig successful the modern past of Iran,” adding that “death was a inexpensive end.” He further characterised the precocious person arsenic embodying “the darkest imaginable dimensions of modern quality beingness nether the structure of fake religion and holiness.”
Khamenei, who was 86, had led the Islamic Republic since 1989. In caller years, his authorities faced mounting home unrest, including large-scale protests driven by economical hardship, corruption and governmental repression. Iranian authorities reported further casualties from the strikes, including elder subject officials.
Rasoulof is 1 of Iran’s astir internationally recognised directors, though his enactment has agelong been banned successful his location country. In 2024, helium near Iran for Germany aft receiving a situation condemnation and flogging bid linked to the accumulation of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, which went connected to triumph the Special Jury Prize astatine the Cannes Film Festival.
His earlier films person besides drawn scrutiny from Iranian authorities. In 2011, aft the Cannes premiere of Goodbye, Rasoulof was sentenced to situation alongside chap manager Jafar Panahi connected charges related to alleged anti-state activities. He aboriginal received a suspended sentence. His passport was confiscated successful 2017 pursuing a screening of A Man of Integrity abroad.
Khamenei’s decease has sparked mixed reactions wrong Iran, with reports of nationalist celebrations successful parts of Tehran alongside demonstrations by supporters of the precocious leader.
