The Seed of the Sacred Fig (2024)
I feel there’s something that needs to be said about social justice and how it relates to world issues. All around the globe, people are valiantly speaking out for what they believe in, be that basic abortion rights or the ceasefire to one of the most horrific conflicts in modern human history. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” NEON’s lesser priority this awards season, is a towering thriller that shows what happens when powerful men go down the political rabbit hole, endangering those close to them with harmful and oftentimes wrong beliefs.
Ideological in focus and structure, director Mohammad Rasoulof paints a picture of a broken Iran, one of opposing generations that is deeply afflicting to watch. For those protesting, it can often be a life-or-death struggle to have their voices heard as those in charge seek to suppress them - no matter the risks. The first half broadly covers Iran’s struggle as a whole - told primarily through the perspective of 3 characters - 2 daughters, Rezvan and Sana, and their mother, Najmeh. Conflict upon conflict for this trio slowly reveals something about the country - be that social restrictions or the justice system. Integral to this film is their father, Iman, getting a promotion to the Tehran Revolutionary Court. While this doesn’t play a role until later in the film, this familial struggle, reflected by the backdrop of a country in pain, eventually leads to devastating consequences for all involved.
Missagh Zareh’s performance of Iman - a seemingly normal Iranian lawyer thrust into a life-changing position - is one of the most realistic put to screen this year. Succumbing to pressure and panic, his mask, that of a steady family man, slips off to reveal a delusional, strangling viper of a human. His struggle against his 2 daughters, and to a lesser extent, his wife, reveals insecurities present with egotism and deeply-rooted beliefs among older generations. Refusing to speak out or take a stand, his fate is impermeable.
Along with this fictional narrative, real images of 2022-2023 protests in Iran are used to make the conflict seem more heartbreaking and are very effective in doing so. Witnessing these nonfiction events occur, with all their brutality and despair, is moving and inspires questions about mortality and livelihoods. It really makes you wonder: could powerful regimes be the ones that necessitate this sort of behavior?
Overall, The Seed of the Sacred Fig is a knowledgeable and tensionful film, filled with political ideas, social debate, and a realistic screenplay. As a result, it’s one of the best thrillers of 2024, something that will continue to have a profound impact for years to come.
8/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Where to Watch: In Theaters
