Chennai International Film Festival

The Seed of the Sacred Fig

France, Germany | 168 mins | 2024 | Persian

The Judge follows Iman, a devout lawyer appointed as an investigating judge in Tehran during a period of intense political protests. As he is forced to sign death sentences without reviewing evidence, his life is consumed by paranoia, distrust, and a deteriorating relationship with his family. Tensions escalate when his gun goes missing, leading to a violent confrontation and a family trial. The film concludes with a tragic chase, leaving Iman’s fate uncertain, as the streets of Tehran erupt in protest.

Director
Image description
Mohammad Rasoulof is an Iranian filmmaker living in exile in Europe, known for his award-winning films such as The Twilight (2002), Iron Island (2005), Goodbye (2011), Manuscripts Don’t Burn (2013), A Man of Integrity (2017), and There Is No Evil (2020), which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. In May 2024, his film The Seed of the Sacred Fig had been selected for the main competition at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
Cast & Crew

DirectorMohammad Rasoulof

ProducerMohammad Rasoulof,

Rozita Hendijanian,

Amin Sadraei, Mani Tilgner

Jean-Christophe Simon,

CinematographerPooyan Aghababaei

EditorAndrew Bird

MusicKarzan Mahmood

CastMahsa Rostami, Setareh Maleki, Niousha Akhshi