Breaking: Acclaimed Film Director Flees Iran On Foot Through Mountainous Area After Being Sentenced To Eight Years In Prison

Mohammad Rasoulof, the acclaimed Iranian film director who was just sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging by the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Court, has fled Iran on foot.

Mohammad Rasoulof, the acclaimed Iranian film director who was just sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging by the Islamic Republic's revolutionary court, has fled Iran on foot.

Moments ago, Rasoulof posted this video of a mountainous area and said he had permanently left Iran.

Of his decision to flee, Rasoulof said, in part, "If you think you control the borders of Iran, you are dreaming. If the geographical Iran suffers under your religious despotism, the cultural Iran lives in the collective mind of millions of Iranians who were forced to leave Iran due to your oppression and brutality, and no power can impose its will on it. From today, I reside in cultural Iran, a boundless land built by millions of Iranians with an ancient history and culture in every corner of the world. And they eagerly await to bury you and your regime of darkness in the depths of history. Then, like a phoenix, a new life will begin from that soil."

Rasoulof's latest film, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree," is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next week. He had been pressured by Islamic Republic authorities to withdraw the film.

Just yesterday, Robert DeNiro and Jane Rosenthal, the co-founders of the Tribeca Film Festival, issued this statement in support of Rasoulof:

“We express our profound condemnation and deepest concern over the sentencing of the acclaimed Iranian filmmaker, Mohammad Rasoulof.

“The imposition of an eight-year prison sentence, coupled with punitive measures including flogging, fines, and confiscation of property, represents a grievous violation of human rights and artistic freedom.

“Mohammad Rasoulof’s courageous works have consistently sought to shine a light on societal issues, offering invaluable insights through a cinematic lens and underscores his unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth and the promotion of human rights through artistic expression.

“We want to add our voices demanding the immediate release of Mohammad Rasoulof and urge the Iranian authorities to respect the rights to free expression and to end the criminalization of art and thought.

“Art is not a crime; it’s dialogue with humanity. Today, we stand in solidarity with Mohammad Rasoulof, echoing his courage and commitment to these truths.”

This is a developing story, check back for updates.

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