REVIEW: The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Almost every time I watch an acclaimed new film from an Iranian auteur, I'm amazed at their skill for dramaturgy. On the surface, filmmakers like Asghar Farhadi, Majid Majidi and Vahid Jalilvand make simple stories about interpersonal conflict, often among family members. But there seems to be an indescribably Iranian flair to their dramas, which deftly weave social commentary and moral dilemmas to powerful effect. Adding to that canon is another prime example of Iranian storytelling mastery in the form of Mohammad Rasoulof's "The Seed of the Sacred Fig".

Set in contemporary Iran, "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" explores the fallout afflicting a man named Iman and his family, after he receives a deceptively auspicious promotion. Iman is a dedicated lawyer who has recently been promoted to investigating judge in Iran's infamous Revolutionary Court. Having prided himself on being fair and just, he hopes to bring this approach to his new role. But he quickly realizes that this new position comes with strings attached - as he is forced to hand down rushed convictions on the order of the prosecutor. Many of these convictions come with the death penalty, a fact which begins to weigh on Iman's conscience. Meanwhile, he begins to butt heads with his own two daughters, who represent part of a growing resistance to the inhumane theocracy their father represents. Caught in the middle is their mother, who largely sides with her husband but is forced to face the violent truth behind the propaganda. But the center cannot hold, neither for this family or the country at large.   

The personal and the political truly collide in this stunning drama. Centering an ensemble of complex characters, the escalating tensions are engrossing to witness, as a fatal case of police brutality puts everyone on edge. Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki) are immediately compelling as the headstrong daughters who speak truth to power as they follow the ongoing protests via cell phone video and through the experiences of their persecuted peers. Meanwhile Soheila Golestani is perfectly inscrutable as their mother Najmeh, who struggles to navigate the conflicting feelings surrounding the pride of her family's new social stature, her strong belief in religious traditions and the harsh reality that opposes the state-supported propaganda she consumes.

The most complex character is undoubtedly Iman, however, as his resigned solemnity gives way to rage when his worldview is challenged, acutely ignited when his gun goes missing. His subsequent extreme response is absolutely chilling to watch, offering a fascinating study of how "good" men can become corrupted by power and blind faith. As the film crescendos towards its powerful conclusion (capped by sobering real life protest footage), "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" rings true as a searing indictment of Iranian society and a cautionary tale of the dangers of rising right-wing fervor worldwide.

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