Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has expressed gratitude for the Honor Spike awarded to him by the International Film Week of Valladolid in 2018. Rasoulof received the award months after his escape from Iran to present his film 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' at the Cannes Film Festival and also in Valladolid.
Rasoulof shared his reflections and experiences with journalists for thirty minutes before receiving the award. He spoke about his situation after leaving Iran, where he was sentenced to lashes and the confiscation of his properties for "collusion with the intention of committing crimes against the security of the country." The director did not reveal whether his exile would change the themes of his future films, but mentioned that he has many projects in mind and that he might lean towards something completely new.
During his talk, Rasoulof recalled the key moments that led him to portray in his cinematographic work the courage and desire for change of the new generations in Iran. Through his film, he decided to include videos recorded by young people documenting historic protests and unforgettable moments in the country. Rasoulof expressed his desire for Iranian society to evolve towards a more open direction in all aspects, not just in the cultural field.
The director also mentioned that living in exile in Germany provides him with some connection to Iran thanks to new technologies, but confessed that he still yearns for the freedom that was taken from him in his country. Rasoulof thanked the support received and the recognition of the Honor Spike, which drives him to continue improving in his film career.
