Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof’s ‘A Man of Integrity’ won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, beating a diverse international selection of 17 other titles to the honor.
Rasoulof’s sixth feature film centers on a goldfish farmer battling corporate oppression in northern Iran. Variety critic Alissa Simon praised the film as a “tense, enraging drama about corruption and injustice,” noting strong international distribution prospects for the work.
The award was presented by American actress Uma Thurman, the section’s jury president, Variety reported.
For writer-director Rasoulof, 45, a leading figure in Iran’s independent cinema, it was the third time in the Un Certain Regard section; he previously competed with 2011’s ‘Goodbye’ and 2013’s ‘Manuscripts Don’t Burn’, winning Best Director Award for the former.
The Un Certain Regard is a separate section from the main contest at Cannes that recognizes younger talent and innovative filmmaking. Iran participated with five films at this year’s Cannes Festival (May 17-28) which marked the 70th anniversary of the event, and won three awards.
In addition to the latest award, Iran also won the second prize of the Cinefondation Competition section for the short film ‘AniMal’ directed by filmmaker brothers Bahram and Behnam Ark, as well as ‘Animation That Matters Award’ at Animation Day of the festival for the feature-length animated film ‘Release From Heaven’ by Ali Noor Oskouei.
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