Kyiv, Ukraine – The prestigious Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist has named Mohammad Rasoulof, a renowned Iranian independent filmmaker, as the head of its jury for the upcoming international competition. Known for his impactful and controversial works, Rasoulof’s role underscores the festival’s commitment to highlighting cinematic voices that challenge societal and political norms.
Rasoulof’s journey to this position is as dramatic as the plots of his films. In May 2024, he made a daring escape from Iran following a severe sentence of eight years in prison, lashes, and property confiscation imposed for creating work deemed hostile to national security. His flight involved crossing the Iranian border on foot and abandoning all electronic devices to evade surveillance, marking a poignant testament to his defiance against censorship and oppression.
Adding to his narrative, Rasoulof’s recent accolades at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024 for his film “The Seeds of Sacred Fig” speak volumes about his craft. The movie fetched him several prestigious awards, including a Special Jury Prize, making him a significant figure in international cinema. The film, an intricate tapestry of betrayal and paranoia set against student protests in Tehran, portrays a Revolutionary Court judge torn between duty and dread after his personal firearm goes missing under mysterious circumstances.
This compelling story drew inspiration from Rasoulof’s own experiences in incarceration, alongside fellow director Jafar Panahi, for their non-violent political activism. After his release in February 2023, Rasoulof secretly began work on “The Seeds of Sacred Fig” with a limited crew to avoid detection, crafting a narrative that mirrors the realities of his challenging environment.
Describing the precarious conditions under which he and his peers operate, Rasoulof once remarked on their relentless pursuit of artistic expression despite constant threats to their freedom and well-being, comparing it to the life of gangsters—albeit devoted to filmmaking.
“The Seeds of Sacred Fig” will be showcased in the “Festival of Festivals” section at Molodist, signaling a strong endorsement of Rasoulof’s artistic vision and his unwavering commitment to filmmaking under duress.
Joining Rasoulof on the international jury are other notable figures in the film industry, including Albert Wiederspiel, former director of FILMFEST HAMBURG; Marija Kavtaradze, a Lithuanian director and past Sundance Directing Award winner; Anastasia Karpenko, a celebrated Ukrainian actress; and Maksym Asadchiy, a prolific Ukrainian producer. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the panel, promising a well-rounded evaluation of the entries.
The Molodist International Competition is a platform for emerging filmmakers from across the globe to present debut films. The winner will walk away with the “Scythian Deer” statuette and a $5,000 prize, furnished by the festival’s main sponsor, state lottery operator M.S.L.
Set to run from October 26 to November 3, 2024, Molodist will host events at the historic Zhovten Cinema, with both the opening and award ceremonies taking place at the Cinema House in Kyiv. As the festival approaches, anticipation builds, not just for the films that will be on display, but for the powerful dialogues and cultural exchanges that define Molodist as a beacon of international cinema.