THERE IS NO EVIL
This program is only available in the States of CO, CA, TX with a limited number of virtual tickets.
Courage in Filmmaking
Official Statement from Director Mohammad Rasoulof: " Thank you all, Especially the Crested Butte festival organizers and the jury, thank you for presenting us with this meaningful award. The title of the award, “Courage in Filmmaking”, reminds us all that censorship is still a horrifying obstacle in many parts of the world that affects many filmmakers. For these filmmakers, much of their creative energy is spent in an erosive and dangerous on-going struggle to attain basic human rights and freedom of speech and expression. Continuing censorship results in a dark cloud of ignorance hanging over a large portion of our planet. There is No Evil was made under prohibitive circumstances. This film would never have been completed if not for the bravery of the cast and crew on set and behind the scenes. They were most definitely the truly courageous ones, choosing to work beside me with no regard to the risk they were taking.
With total respect to the Crested Butte Film Festival jury, I redirect this award to all on and behind the scenes of There is No Evil who with one voice said “NO” to censorship. :
What would you give up for your art?
Would you be willing to give up your life to tell your story?
Iranian auteur Mohammad Rasoulof is risking just that to present his latest and most daring work, THERE IS NO EVIL. This haunting and beautiful anthology features four short segments featuring contemporary Iranians tasked by their regime with an unthinkable choice- whose repercussions have the potential to directly (or indirectly) destroy their relationships, their humanity- and their very lives.
This sixth film of Rasoulof (none have ever been publicly screened in his home country) was filmed and edited entirely in secret and smuggled out of Iran under penalty of a possible life sentence for "...anti-government propaganda". It premiered at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival where it took home the prestigious Golden Bear for Best Picture.
While Mr. Rasolouf is not permitted to travel outside the country to accompany his astonishing film, we are proud to showcase this most important work. Mohammad Rasoulof's films not only faithfully depict the trails and travails of everyday life in Iran, but most importantly, "...speak to us all in the universal language of cinema to promote empathy and peace. We need artists like Mohammad Rasoulof to be able to raise their voice without fear of reprisal.”
In a moment that seems so profoundly precinct to our own political stakes, we stand by courage and convictions of such filmmakers, and wholeheartedly believe in the essential role of Film Festivals to support, showcase, and assist such vital art- and artists- whenever we can.
"The only power citizens have in the face of tyranny is the power to say no." - Mohammad Rasoulof
In Farsi with English subtitles.
Director Bio
Born in Shiraz, Iran in 1972, Mohammad Rasoulof began directing documentaries and short films while studying sociology. After his second film, Iron Island, opportunities for him to make and screen his work grew increasingly restricted. All seven of his feature films have fallen victim to the censor in Iran. In 2010, he was arrested on set while working alongside Jafar Panahi and sentenced to a year in prison. He has won numerous international awards for his work including several prizes in Un Certain Regard at Cannes. Since 2017, he has been officially barred from leaving Iran.
- Year2020
- Runtime152 minutes
- LanguageFarsi
- CountryIran | Germany | Czech Republic
- DirectorMohammad Rasoulof
THERE IS NO EVIL
This program is only available in the States of CO, CA, TX with a limited number of virtual tickets.
Courage in Filmmaking
Official Statement from Director Mohammad Rasoulof: " Thank you all, Especially the Crested Butte festival organizers and the jury, thank you for presenting us with this meaningful award. The title of the award, “Courage in Filmmaking”, reminds us all that censorship is still a horrifying obstacle in many parts of the world that affects many filmmakers. For these filmmakers, much of their creative energy is spent in an erosive and dangerous on-going struggle to attain basic human rights and freedom of speech and expression. Continuing censorship results in a dark cloud of ignorance hanging over a large portion of our planet. There is No Evil was made under prohibitive circumstances. This film would never have been completed if not for the bravery of the cast and crew on set and behind the scenes. They were most definitely the truly courageous ones, choosing to work beside me with no regard to the risk they were taking.
With total respect to the Crested Butte Film Festival jury, I redirect this award to all on and behind the scenes of There is No Evil who with one voice said “NO” to censorship. :
What would you give up for your art?
Would you be willing to give up your life to tell your story?
Iranian auteur Mohammad Rasoulof is risking just that to present his latest and most daring work, THERE IS NO EVIL. This haunting and beautiful anthology features four short segments featuring contemporary Iranians tasked by their regime with an unthinkable choice- whose repercussions have the potential to directly (or indirectly) destroy their relationships, their humanity- and their very lives.
This sixth film of Rasoulof (none have ever been publicly screened in his home country) was filmed and edited entirely in secret and smuggled out of Iran under penalty of a possible life sentence for "...anti-government propaganda". It premiered at the 2020 Berlin International Film Festival where it took home the prestigious Golden Bear for Best Picture.
While Mr. Rasolouf is not permitted to travel outside the country to accompany his astonishing film, we are proud to showcase this most important work. Mohammad Rasoulof's films not only faithfully depict the trails and travails of everyday life in Iran, but most importantly, "...speak to us all in the universal language of cinema to promote empathy and peace. We need artists like Mohammad Rasoulof to be able to raise their voice without fear of reprisal.”
In a moment that seems so profoundly precinct to our own political stakes, we stand by courage and convictions of such filmmakers, and wholeheartedly believe in the essential role of Film Festivals to support, showcase, and assist such vital art- and artists- whenever we can.
"The only power citizens have in the face of tyranny is the power to say no." - Mohammad Rasoulof
In Farsi with English subtitles.
Director Bio
Born in Shiraz, Iran in 1972, Mohammad Rasoulof began directing documentaries and short films while studying sociology. After his second film, Iron Island, opportunities for him to make and screen his work grew increasingly restricted. All seven of his feature films have fallen victim to the censor in Iran. In 2010, he was arrested on set while working alongside Jafar Panahi and sentenced to a year in prison. He has won numerous international awards for his work including several prizes in Un Certain Regard at Cannes. Since 2017, he has been officially barred from leaving Iran.
- Year2020
- Runtime152 minutes
- LanguageFarsi
- CountryIran | Germany | Czech Republic
- DirectorMohammad Rasoulof