Mohammad Rasoulof Watched ‘There Is No Evil’ With His Own Prison Guards ‘Seven Nights in a Row’: ‘I Was Bound to the Bed and They Were Complimenting Me’

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For seven consecutive nights, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof chose to watch “There Is No Evil” alongside his own prison guards, as he later shared at the Goteborg Film Festival.

Even though I was confined to my bed, they praised me, saying ‘Great job on that fantastic movie!’ However, the issue arose when fresh guards entered the following day, eager to view the film alongside me.

The events unfolded as Rasoulof, dealing with health issues post-arrest, required surgery. Guards at the hospital kept a close watch to prevent him from escaping.

The situation arose when Rasoulof, who had health complications after being arrested, needed an operation. The hospital was under heavy guard to ensure he didn’t escape.

Eventually, one of them approached and inquired, ‘I’ve heard that you are a film director. May we take a selfie with you?’ The other guards followed suit, each wanting their own picture taken with me, as they were fans of your movie, ‘There Is No Evil’, you mentioned.

One of the film’s episodes depicts a day in the life of an executioner. 

One individual retrieved a flash drive and remarked, ‘Here it is. I’ve seen it before, but it’s not the same as viewing it with the film’s director.’ Ensuring no one else was around, we gathered to watch it during the wee hours of the night.

After facing disputes within his home nation and detentions, Rasoulof ultimately managed to flee from Iran. Currently, he resides in Germany.

In a culture that suppresses free expression, the most crucial action is to remain authentic. Authoritarian regimes aim to mold each individual into identical versions of themselves. When people share similar thoughts and use similar language, it becomes simpler for them to exert power.” He expressed this thought.

Historically, Iranians have tended to express their art in a veiled manner to protect themselves and communicate their true feelings openly. This is evident in the use of metaphors throughout the characters of old Persian poetry and literature. In the same way, I’ve chosen to embark on my film career by using metaphors as a means of free expression.

Soon, he found himself “adjusting to the limitations as an artist.” 

Following the release of my fourth movie, I chose to adopt a more direct approach,” he clarified. As these films began to garner global recognition, this decision also led to my imprisonment by the ruling authorities.

Following ‘A Man of Integrity,’ I was barred from creating films. To escape the restrictions and censorship, I opted to emigrate from the country. While incarcerated, I pondered: ‘If I were given an eight-year sentence, would it be more advantageous to stay in Iran as a filmmaker under censorship, or would I find a viable means to carry on my work? I selected the latter choice.”

or

“Since the release of ‘A Man of Integrity,’ I’ve been unable to produce films. To break free from the shackles of censorship and limitations, I chose to relocate overseas. During my imprisonment, I wondered: ‘If I were given an eight-year sentence, would it be more beneficial to remain in Iran as a filmmaker under censorship, or would I find a practical way to continue my work? I opted for the latter.”

or

“After ‘A Man of Integrity,’ I was prohibited from filmmaking. To escape the constraints and censorship, I decided to move abroad. While behind bars, I contemplated: ‘If I were given an eight-year sentence, would it be more advantageous to stay in Iran as a filmmaker under censorship, or would I find a practical means to continue my work? I chose the latter option.

The most recent movie of his, titled “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” had its debut at Cannes. At Goteborg, he was accompanied by actor Setareh Maleki, who has since departed Iran and stated that everything has turned topsy-turvy since the initial screening. Another actor, Soheila Golestani, was lately forbidden from exiting the country to participate on a jury at the Rotterdam Film Festival.

He stated that during the movie screening at the festival, some moments elicited laughter from viewers. However, those who haven’t lived similar experiences may not fully grasp the gravity and suffering depicted, as they don’t understand the reality of life in Iran. Nevertheless, he aimed to convey this truth through his film.

Although what I discuss may appear humorous, during those moments, it wasn’t funny at all; instead, it was quite challenging.

Inquired about Sweden’s Quran burnings by festival director Pia Lundberg, who emphasized Sweden’s constitutional right to freedom of speech, Rasoulof commented intriguingly, “It’s quite thought-provoking that this debate is taking place in Ruben Östlund’s homeland.

He emphasized the significance of safeguarding democracy as it faces threats, drawing a parallel with a scene from ‘The Square.’ In that scene, a man disrupts those around him by jumping on a table. Just like the people in the movie who remain quiet and composed, this is how the older generation responds to challenges to democracy.

He stated: “In my view, defending democracy necessitates extreme measures at times. However, while exercising your liberty, be mindful as it may encroach upon others’ liberties. This is an ongoing process we should always strive to improve.

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2025-01-31 21:47