Overview
Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble.
Set against the 2022-2023 protests in Iran, Seed of the Sacred fig focuses on Iman, a devout lawyer who is appointed as an investigating judge for the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The higher salary and larger residence means that he can provide a better life for his wife, Najmeh, and their daughters Rezvan and Sana. However, Iman finds his honesty challenged at work pretty early on when he is told to simply sign off on judgements presented to him without examining the evidence, something which his predecessor refused to do and was dismissed from the role. In addition, the level of secrecy that he has to uphold around the work he does, even from his family, impact on him and create a sense of paranoia in his mind. With his daughters coming into contact with protestors against the hijab, Iman’s world starts to unfurl, and eventually his whole family life starts to unravel when the handgun issued to him goes missing.
Seed of the Sacred Fig is a powerful film which draws on the turbulence of the protests, the politics of Iran, and the way in which a man can find his loyalty to his family pitched against loyalty to his country and his beliefs. Filmed in secrecy by Mohammad Rasoulef, who has served three sentences for violation of Iranian censorship, this is a politically charged film that takes the smart approach of using a family dynamic being fractured as an analogy for the turmoils of the country itself. Scenes are interspersed with occasional footage of the real world violent responses the Iranian forces had to the peaceful protests, as within the household tensions start to grow as the old ways (Iman) fight to control and put down the new (his daughters).
With a first half that has a slow build of mounting tension and paranoia, the latter act flips the film to become an intense chase and leads headlong into a dramatic internal conflict for the family that feels earned. Strong performances from all involved ensure we care for them as the events play out, and feel the once perfect family torn asunder because of the politics of the country. The film’s title refers to a species of fig that slowly wraps itself around another tree, eventually strangling it, and represents the theme of the film perfectly.
Playing as a wonderfully crafted drama, as well as a powerful political message, Seed of the Sacred Fig is another strong contender during this year’s award season.