Mohammad Rasoulof, a renowned Iranian independent director, writer, and producer, was born in Shiraz, Iran in 1972. He pursued a degree in sociology, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors in filmmaking. Initially, Rasoulof started his career by creating documentaries and short films, showcasing his talent and dedication to the craft.
His first feature film, 'Gagooman' (The Twilight, 2002),earned him the prestigious prize for the best film at the Fajr Film Festival in Iran. However, his subsequent film, 'Jazireh Ahani' (Iron Island, 2005),sparked controversy with the Iranian censorship system, severely limiting his ability to produce and screen his films within the country. Despite this, his films gained widespread recognition and acclaim outside of Iran, captivating audiences in cinemas and festivals worldwide.
Throughout his career, Rasoulof has experimented with various forms of storytelling, transitioning from metaphoric to more direct expressions. In 2010, he was arrested alongside Jafar Panahi while working on a film together, and subsequently sentenced to six years in jail. The sentence was later reduced to one year, and he was released on bail, awaiting the execution of his sentence.
Mohammad Rasoulof has received numerous accolades for his work, including the prize for best director in Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 for his film 'Bé Omid é Didar' (Goodbye, 2011). In 2013, he won the FIPRESCI Prize in Cannes for the film 'Dast-Neveshteha-Nemisoozand' (Manuscripts Don't Burn, 2013) from the International Federation of Film Critics in Un Certain Regard.
