Mohammad Rasoulof Announces Escape via SNS
"Had to Choose Between Prison and Exile"
Mohammad Rasoulof (52), a famous Iranian film director who was sentenced to prison and flogging for not making an actress wear a hijab, has fled to Europe.
The US daily New York Times (NYT) reported on the 14th (local time) that Director Rasoulof announced his escape through his social media (SNS). In a video posted on SNS, Rasoulof said, with snow-covered mountain peaks in the background, "I have arrived at a safe place."
Director Laszlo's film "There Is No Evil," which won the Golden Bear at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival [Image source=IMDb]
He continued, "I had no choice but to leave due to the oppression and atrocities of the Iranian rulers," adding, "But now I have joined the ranks of exiles who anxiously await to bury you and your oppressive apparatus deep in history."
In a separate statement distributed through his spokesperson, he said, "After a long and complicated journey, I have arrived in Europe," and "I had to choose between prison and exile, and with a heavy heart, I chose exile."
He also stated, "I strongly oppose the recent unjust verdict," but added, "However, since the Iranian judiciary has issued so many cruel and strange rulings, I do not think I am in a position to complain about the sentence I received."
Earlier, on the 8th, human rights lawyer Babak Paknia revealed on SNS that Director Rasoulof was sentenced in the appeals court to 8 years in prison, flogging, fines, and asset confiscation. The charges were related to an actress in his film who did not properly wear a hijab or filmed without a hijab. Additionally, there was a charge of making a film without permission from the relevant authorities, and film personnel were investigated by authorities while under travel bans.
Director Rasoulof won the top prize, the Golden Bear, at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival for There Is No Evil, but was unable to attend the awards ceremony due to a travel ban imposed by Iranian authorities who took issue with his political stance. In 2017, he also won the Un Certain Regard award at the 70th Cannes Film Festival for A Man of Integrity, which tells the story of a man persecuted for refusing to pay bribes, but his passport was confiscated by the Iranian government.
Meanwhile, his new film The Seed of the Sacred Pig will premiere this month at the 77th Cannes International Film Festival held in France. However, it is reported that Rasoulof’s attendance at the festival is uncertain.
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