When poison outside of the home infects the inside of it, the results can be catastrophic.
Directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, The Seed of the Sacred Fig tells the story of Iman (Misagh Zare), a middle-class lawyer thrilled to finally get his well-deserved promotion within the Iranian government. However, with a new job comes new responsibilities and social expectations. As Iman receives clear instructions what sort of lives he and his family must live, he informs his wife (Soheila Golestani) and teen daughters (Setareh Maleki and Mahsa Rostami) that their lives must be seen in accordance with state laws. However, as protests outside the home grow, tensions within it become more palpable. With every rubber stamp of a death sentence, Iman begins to understand his place. At the same time though, the women in his life appear to lean increasingly towards a world of change and progress.
In many ways, Sacred Fig is a film in three distinct acts, each with their own strengths. At first, this seems ridiculous to say. (After all, aren’t all stories generally in three acts?) Yet Fig feels almost like three separate films by moving into three different styles. Beginning as a family drama, Sacred Fig eventually moves into a political thriller and culminates in what feels like an action film. For some pieces, this would seem jarring. However, Sacred Fig’s evolution is so tightly written that one can’t help but become engrossed within it.
Riddled with intensity, Rasoulof ensures that Sacred Fig absolutely sizzles in moments. Whether it’s hunting for the truth or simply trying to survive a war on the roads, every moment within this piece feels important. (And that’s essential for a film that approaches 3 hours in length.)
But the greatest pressure within the film appears to come from within the home itself. After Iman takes his new job, he begins to separate from his family. With increasing stress at work, Iman becomes even more adamant with his wife and daughters about their behaviour, especially actions that seem to stand against the ‘faith’ of the administration. In this world, faith is viewed as the dominant social structure, reinforcing notions of patriarchal authority and communal morality. And the more that Iman is immersed within the government, the greater his determination to enforce this notion grows within him.
Of course, this becomes increasingly difficult in a home with two teenage daughters. Despite their willingness to honour their parents, tensions continue to grow, especially when the wild political landscape affects their friends. After a friend is bloodied by a nearby rally that she wasn’t even attending, the notion of government-enforced faith and purity laws becomes increasingly toxic to the next generation. In a world exploding with protests, these young women begin to realize the need to stand up against the powers-that-be, drawing the ire of Iman.
As a result, the family within Sacred Fig becomes its own form of battleground. As Iman becomes entrenched into government patriarchy, his demand for compliance increases. Meanwhile, the women in his life begin to push back in an effort to stand up against injustice. As love gives way to law, this tension tears at the family unit. With each secret that is kept, Fig becomes a powerful example of what can happen when religious fear leads to horrifying infighting and violence.
It must be noted as well that Rasoulof is not merely interested in recreating acts of political violence onscreen. Through the use of real-life footage of the ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ movement from 2022, Sacred Fig never allows the viewer to sit comfortably with the belief that this is merely a film. In doing so, Rasoulof blurs the lines of reality and fiction, giving greater weight to his criticism of government policies. Frankly, the film is so bold that it’s not surprising that Rasoulof has been a victim of political oppression by Iranian authorities.
Even so, it’s that same boldness that makes Sacred Fig so effective.
This is a thriller that pulls no punches. From its action sequences to its political challenges, Sacred Fig is an example of superb filmmaking across the board. With passion and fire, Rasoulof’s film absolutely burns onscreen. As compelling as it is controversial, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a story that cries out for the world to know the troubles of this corner of the world.
Seed of the Sacred Fig is available in theatres on Wednesday, November 27th, 2024.
