The film The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree by Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof will represent Germany at the 2025 Academy Awards. This was announced by German Films, the international representative of the German film industry, in Munich. The film, a German co-production, was selected over twelve other films to be Germany’s official submission for the Oscars.
Rasoulof fled Iran in May and sought refuge in Germany after being sentenced to eight years in prison and whipping. He left the country without permission, just before his sentencing. During his previous trial in Iran, Rasoulof secretly continued filming what is now the nominated film.
Rasoulof has faced multiple travel bans in Iran, where he is known as a highly critical filmmaker who has repeatedly spoken out against the authoritarian Iranian regime. Iran is under strict censorship, with public life and freedom of expression heavily restricted by religious-extremist state institutions.
A masterfully directed film
The Seed of the Sacred Fig Tree explores the impact of these restrictions and the political protests in Iran on a family. The jury that selected the film as Germany’s entry described it as “a psychological portrait of Iran’s theocracy, built on violence and paranoia.” Rasoulof “subtly portrays the fractures within a family, representing the broader societal fractures in Iran.” The jury praised the film as “masterfully directed and movingly performed, with unforgettable scenes.”
The director and producers expressed their joy at the selection. “This film, which tells a story of oppression, but also of hope and resistance, is the result of a unique collaboration between people of diverse backgrounds and migration histories.” They highlighted the power of intercultural exchange in a free and open society.
Several steps to the Oscars
The selection of Germany’s entry is just one step in the journey to the world’s most prestigious film award. The 15-title shortlist for the Best International Feature Film category will be announced on December 17, 2024. From this shortlist, five films will be nominated, with the final nominees revealed on January 17, 2025.
The Oscars ceremony will take place on March 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, which will be the night of March 3 in Central European Time.
