Report: Iranian director Rasoulof fled to Germany

According to a media report, director Mohammad Rasoulof, who fled Iran and is expected to attend the Cannes Film Festival, is in Germany. The British newspaper “The Guardian” reported yesterday that Rasoulof crossed the country's borders on foot through mountain paths, and is currently in Germany.

There was no official confirmation at first. Diplomatic sources said when asked yesterday, “The federal government is not backing down from its efforts to support the brave civil society in Iran.”

Last week, Rasoulof announced on Instagram that he was able to leave Iran. His lawyer, Babak Paknia, confirmed to AFP that Rasoulof wants to attend the Cannes Film Festival.

He was forced into exile

The director wants to present his new film, “The Sacred Fig Seed,” in Cannes. The Iranian authorities had pressured him to withdraw the film from competition for the Palme d'Or.

The Berlinale winner was sentenced to several years in prison in Iran on charges of “conspiracy against national security.” “I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran,” he wrote. “I chose exile with a heavy heart.”