‘The Seed of the Sacred Fig’ Shows Tyranny in Its True Light

Islamist ideology imposes cruel rules on an Iranian family in Mohammed Rasoulof’s searing film.

(L–R) Najmeh (Soheila Golestani), (Mahsa Rostami), and Sana (Setareh Maleki), in “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” A family suffers from Islamist ideology. Run Way Pictures

PG-13 | 2h 48m | Drama | 2024

Tragically, Iman (Missagh Zareh) will soon start taking his work home to his family. The Iranian husband and father just received a promotion that qualifies him for many new government benefits. He and his wife Najmeh (Sohelia Golestani), however, remain tight-lipped discussing his work around their daughters. Iman is an investigating judge for the Islamic Revolutionary Court in contemporary Tehran, Iran.