“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” Among Major Winners at German Film Awards
According to cinemadrame news agency, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, received the German Film Award’s Silver Lola. Missagh Zareh, an actor in the film, was selected as Best Male Actor. The Golden Lola was awarded to the film “September 5.”
The German Film Awards, also known as the “Lola,” were presented on Saturday evening, May 9.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” had been nominated for awards in many categories, including Best Screenplay and Best Director for Mohammad Rasoulof, and Best Supporting Actress for Niousha Akhshi. The film ultimately won the award for “Best Male Lead” for Missagh Zareh, the main actor playing the “court judge.”
Mohammad Rasoulof, the film’s director, who went on stage with the crew to receive the award, dedicated the award in his speech to the women of Iran, and especially to Soheila Golestani, one of the film’s actresses.
His film tells the story of a court judge and his family amidst the Mahsa movement. Due to its critical content, it could not be screened in Iran.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” offers a sharp look at violence and its impact on families. The film, secretly made in Iran, narrates the story of “Iman,” a judge who initially refuses to sign arbitrary death sentences but, under pressure, his life path changes, and his family falls apart.
“The Seed of the Sacred Fig” has so far won prestigious awards, including at the Cannes Film Festival, and has been praised by critics.
Rasoulof: I Had No Choice But to Leave Iran
After the judiciary sentenced Mohammad Rasoulof to eight years in prison and flogging, he secretly crossed Iran’s borders to reach Europe before the film’s screening at the Cannes Film Festival.
Rasoulof told The Guardian at the time that he had no choice but to leave Iran.
This Iranian director’s film was also selected to represent Germany as Best International Feature Film for competition at the 97th Academy Awards.
At the Cannes Film Festival, Rasoulof displayed a photo of the film’s main actors, including Soheila Golestani, who remains under pressure in Iran. The judicial case against Golestani is now being pursued with greater intensity.
German Film Academy Award
At the ceremony, “September 5” was announced as the main winner of the 75th German Film Awards, receiving a total of nine awards, including the Golden Lola for Best Film.
“September 5” is a film about the 1972 Munich Olympic attack from the perspective of an American television crew that was supposed to cover the games but inadvertently witnessed a hostage-taking. The film addresses topics such as the role and mission of the media and political issues.
The German Film Award, also known as the “Lola” award, is a cinematic award presented by the German Film Academy to the best of German cinema.
The German Film Academy Award, which is given in twenty categories, is worth a total of approximately three million Euros and is provided by the German government to those involved in the country’s film industry.
Rasoulof’s New Work in Berlinale Competition Section
The 70th Berlin Film Festival began on February 20. The Berlinale competition section features 18 films, including “There Is No Evil,” the latest work by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof.
A New Chapter with New Directors
After several years under Dieter Kosslick’s management, the Berlinale is starting a new chapter. Carlo Chatrian (right) and Mariette Rissenbeek (left) are now in charge of the festival. Chatrian will be the artistic director, and Rissenbeek will manage the festival’s executive aspects.
Hosting New Cinemas in the Capital’s Center
One of the missions of the Berlin Festival directors was to find new cinemas for Berlinale screenings. Due to the closure of the large cinema complex in Potsdamer Platz, they had to find new venues. The Cubix cinema (pictured), which played a more marginal role in previous editions, is now one of the important centers for screening Berlinale films.
Festival Opening with “My Salinger Year”
The 70th Berlin Film Festival will open with “My Salinger Year,” directed by Canadian filmmaker Philippe Falardeau. This co-production between Canada and Ireland tells the story of a young aspiring writer who becomes an assistant to a literary agency manager. Acclaimed American actress Sigourney Weaver (pictured) is one of the main performers in this film. Weaver is among the stars who will walk the Berlinale red carpet.
“There Is No Evil”
This edition’s competition section features 18 films. “There Is No Evil,” the new work by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof, is among the participating films in this section. “There Is No Evil” is a co-production of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Iran, and will have its first screening at the Berlinale. The film “Berlin Alexanderplatz,” directed by German-Afghan filmmaker Burhan Qurbani, is another work present in the competition section. (Image: A scene from “There Is No Evil“).
Head of the Jury
Jeremy Irons is at the head of the jury for the competition section of the 70th Berlin Film Festival. This British actor has won many awards, including an Oscar and a Golden Globe. In 1991, he received the Oscar for Best Actor for his brilliant performance in the film “Reversal of Fortune.” Jeremy Irons, along with other jury members, will select the main winners of the Berlin Festival.
Launch of a New Section
The new directors of the Berlin Film Festival have launched a new competitive section called “Encounters” in this edition, which is expected to play an important role within the framework of this festival over time and reflect the diversity of the world of film and cinema. A total of 15 films will compete in this section, including the film “Gunda” (pictured).
Grand Screenings
Carlo Chatrian, the artistic director of the Berlinale, has not overlooked grand and lavish screenings in this edition. One of the works that will undoubtedly attract enthusiasts’ attention is the film “Pinocchio,” directed by Matteo Garrone and starring Roberto Benigni (pictured).
Strong Presence of German Cinema
German cinema, which had a strong presence at the Berlinale during Dieter Kosslick’s management, will continue to play an important role in this festival. One of the sections of the Berlin Festival is “Perspective German Cinema,” where a number of films will be screened for the first time, including the film “System Crasher,” starring Sandra Hüller (pictured).
Female Directors
One of the statistics that some are anticipating is the number of female directors whose works have made it to the Berlin Film Festival. Ms. Agnieszka Holland, the renowned Polish filmmaker, is one such director. Her latest work, “Charlatan,” will be screened at the Berlinale 2020. (Image: A scene from the film “Charlatan“).
Iranian Presence
In the list of films introduced so far by the new Berlinale team, several Iranian films are also visible. In the “Forum” section, “Namo” (Stranger), Nader Saeivar’s directorial debut, has been accepted. The short films “The White-Winged Horse” by Mahyar Mandegar, “The Kites” by Payam Hosseini, and the feature film “Yalda, a Night for Forgiveness,” directed by Massoud Bakhshi, have also made it to the “Generation” section of the Berlin Festival.
Honorary Award for Helen Mirren
Helen Mirren, the famous English actress, will receive the Honorary Golden Bear at this edition of the Berlinale for her lifetime achievements in art. Mirren has starred in dozens of cinematic and television works and has received numerous film awards, including an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA. “The Queen” and “The Madness of King George” are considered some of Helen Mirren’s most famous films.
Retrospective
One of the attractive sections of the Berlinale is the “Retrospective,” which this time is dedicated to King Vidor, the famous American director. Vidor began his career during the silent film era and left behind many works over several decades, including “War and Peace” (1956) and “Duel in the Sun” (1946). (Image: King Vidor (left) with Audrey Hepburn (center) and Jeremy Brett (right) behind the scenes of “War and Peace“).
