The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Iman has just been promoted to investigating judge at Tehran's Revolutionary Court when nationwide protests erupt over the death of a young woman. As the state cracks down harder and the caseload mounts, he chooses to serve the system rather than question it. At home his two student daughters, Rezvan and Sana, sympathize with the demonstrators, while his wife Najmeh tries to hold the family together. When Iman's service weapon disappears from the house, he turns on those closest to him, convinced they are responsible; the missing gun would send him to prison if it is not found.

The film is written and directed by Mohammad Rasoulof, his third feature after Manuscripts Don't Burn and There Is No Evil, and it precedes Sense of Water. Soheila Golestani plays Najmeh, Misagh Zare plays Iman, Mahsa Rostami and Setareh Maleki play the daughters, with Niousha Akhshi and Reza Akhlaghirad in supporting roles. Rasoulof produced with Rozita Hendijanian and Amin Sadraei for a German, Iranian and French co-production.

Made for about 3 million dollars, it took roughly 7 million worldwide. On IMDb it holds 7.5/10 from around 19,000 votes, and on TMDB 7.5/10 from over 500 votes, placing it in broad agreement with the critics' rating of 8.3/10 from 160 reviews, which is noticeably higher than the audience scores.