The Seed of the Sacred Fig
Directed by Mohammad RasoulofAn investigating judge struggles with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran caused by the death of a young woman. When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing harsh measures that fray family ties.
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The Seed of the Sacred Fig Ratings & Reviews
- rg9400February 4, 2025The Seed of the Sacred Fig is an important movie, but one I struggled with. Utilizing footage from the real-life political unrest in Tehran and Iran at large in regards to the way women are treated, the movie depicts the societal rebellion against the backdrop of the upheaval within a single family. The family acts as a microcosm of the larger country, an ambitious and admirable premise. Indeed, early on, the movie introduces a college-aged female friend to the two daughters who acts as a more tangible window into the riots, and the interaction between her, the progressive daughters, and the mother who is more traditional and trying to keep the family unit together while still sympathizing with her own children is compelling, especially when dealing with the father who works for the investigative arm of the government. The problem is that this movie is way too long. It clocks in at almost 3 hours, and it honestly only needs half that runtime. A lot of the scenes aren't utilized to build tension, character, or thematic depth, instead often feeling like the camera just lingers too long on narratively inert shots. It honestly undercuts the tension quite a bit. As the movie progresses into its second half, the family's struggles also start to feel more divorced from what is happening at large, making the events feel less thematically rich and more like standard family drama. The ending scene almost feels like a farce to me due to how little tension remains by that time and how separated the story has become from the larger social commentary. I think stronger editing would have helped the movie build tension while also remaining more focused because there are individual scenes in this movie that are phenomenal. However, despite my issues, once the ending montage finished, I did respect what this movie set out to do, all in secret of a government that would not approve. This movie gives a glimpse into the culture of a country that often feels obscured, and it illustrates that there are people who are demanding better, both in the streets as well as within their own homes. That deserves applause.
- Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025The Seed of the Sacred Fig begins with Iman’s long-awaited victory: a promotion to a prestigious, secretive position that he’s spent two decades striving toward. It’s a defining moment for his career and a chance to solidify his legacy. But this accomplishment comes at a cost. The demands of the role impose strict conditions on his family, requiring his wife, Najmeh, and daughters, Rezvan and Sana, to adopt a subdued, almost cloistered lifestyle, essentially giving up much of their public social freedoms to preserve Iman’s professional stability. What initially feels like a necessary adjustment soon turns into a pressure cooker, threatening to implode the family from within. At the heart of this discord is Rezvan, a fiery, idealistic college student whose burgeoning activism puts her at odds with both her father and the patriarchal norms he represents. Rezvan’s frustrations become louder and more pointed as she watches her family retreat into a stifling shell of discretion. Meanwhile, Iman is torn between his loyalty to his job and the ethical compromises it demands. Tasked with fighting against social activists—individuals like his own daughter—Iman finds himself increasingly at odds with the values he once held dear. The turning point arrives at an unforgettable family dinner. Long-simmering tensions erupt as Rezvan voices her disdain for Iman’s role in upholding the systems she seeks to dismantle. Najmeh, whose quiet strength has long been the glue holding the family together, finally releases years of pent-up frustration. Even Sana, the youngest and often overlooked, joins in the rebellion. The scene is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, with the family’s carefully maintained façade shattering in real time, setting the stage for an explosive final act. The performances arereally excellent across the board and director Mohammad Rasoulof interweaves the family’s unraveling with the broader societal tensions in Iran, using real-life protest footage to blur the lines between fiction and reality, especially considering the risks Rasoulof and his team faced to bring it to life. Through Iman, Najmeh, Rezvan, and Sana, Rasoulof captures the deeply human cost of oppressive systems while issuing an urgent call for change.
- faizannabiJune 3, 2025As always western propaganda. They want chaos in every other country except thiers.
