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Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof’s Oscar hopeful The Seed of the Sacred Fig has won the sixth edition of the Arab Critics‘ Award for European Films, a joint initiative between European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Arab Cinema Center (ACC).
The drama, produced by Germany’s Run Way Pictures in co-production with Parallel45, ARTE France Cinéma, was among 22 European-produced films in the running for the award, voted on by 89 critics from 15 Arab countries,
Taking inspiration from Iran’s Woman Life Freedom protests, the film revolves around a devout man who is promoted to the position of investigating judge at the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, just as his daughters become swept up in the pro-equal rights and democracy movement.
The award was announced on the fringes of Egypt‘s El Gouna International Film Festival. Rasoulof could not attend in person, but sent greetings via a video message, while producer Mani Tilgner at Run Way Pictures received the trophy on his behalf.
“This recognition assures us that we not only succeeded in producing a good film under difficult conditions but also in telling a story that moves people around the world—whether in the USA, Europe, or the Arab countries,” said Tilgner.
The film, which is representing Germany in the Best International Feature Film category of the 97th the Academy awards, premiered in Competition at Cannes Film Festival shortly after dissident director Rasoulof’s dramatic escape to Europe,
There, it received the Competition’s Special Jury Prize, the FIPRESCI Prize, the European Art House Cinemas Award (AFCAE), the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Prix François Chalais for Best Film.
It has since won Best European Film at San Sebastian, Best Screenplay at Chicago, the Audience Award in Sydney and has also played in Locarno and Toronto among other festivals. The film is screening out of competition at El Gouna, running October 24 to November 1.
Previous winners of the Arab Critics’ Awards for European Films, which was launched in 2019, include God Exists, Her Name Is Petrunya by Teona Strugar Mitevska (2019), Undine by Christian Petzold (2020), 107 Mothers by Péter Kerekes (2021), EO by Jerzy Skolimowski (2022) and Fallen Leaves by Aki Kaurismäki (2023).
“We featured 22 films from some of the most significant European productions of the year. These films were screened at major international festivals and have received various awards,: said Ola Al-Sheikh, Director of the Arab Critics’ Awards.
“I would like to express my gratitude to my fellow Arab critics who served on the jury which included 89 critics from 15 Arab countries. I also want to thank the new members who joined the jury this year for their dedication and effort in watching the films through the Festival Scope website and participating in the voting process.”
