Annual Event "Performing Exiles" Features Filmmaker Rasoulof Amidst Growing Apprehension
Going Against the Grain: Mohammad Rasoulof's Riveting Theater Debut in Berlin
By Martina Kaden
Making his maiden theater venture, award-winning Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof (52), grants us a sneak peek at his groundbreaking production, "Destination: Origin," slated for its grand premiere on June 19, 20, and 21, 2025, at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele.
This audacious production was born out of necessity, serving as a lifeline for the three Iranian actresses—Niousha Akhshi, Setareh Maleki, and Mahsa Rostamii—who joined Rasoulof in exile. These women, who are key players in his critically acclaimed film "The Seeds of the Holy Fig Tree," found refuge in Berlin, and "Destination: Origin" is their testament to resilience and artistic freedom.
Feeling the Heat: Pressure on a Production
Matthias Lilienthal, the artistic director of Performing Exiles festival, passionately projects this compelling premiere at the Haus der Berliner Festspiele. Lilienthal shares the genesis of this artistic odyssey: "One day, I get an email from Navid Kermani (German writer and peace prize winner): Mohammad Rasoulof is leaving Iran and wants to produce a theater piece in Germany."
Desperate for visas and financial stability, the actresses prompted an urgent need for support, and Lilienthal swung into action. He hastily assembled a series of performances in six German theaters, securing the visas the ladies required for a year.
However, the simmering tension between Israel and Iran casts an ominous shadow over the production. Lilienthal confesses, "They're rehearsing under almost unimaginable conditions. One Monday, they had no contact with Tehran for three hours, and they were wracked with worry about their families and friends."
In light of this turmoil, Rasoulof felt compelled to absent himself from a recent press conference, citing his overwhelming concern for his loved ones.
Join the Exodus: Secure Your Seats
Dates: 19.6., 7 p.m.; 20.6., 8 p.m.; 21.6., 9 p.m., Haus der Berliner Festspiele, Schaperstr. 24, more info and festival dates here.
References:
- Culture Trip
- B.Z Berlin
- Haus der Berliner Festspiele
- Exberliner
- Marianne Feature
*Amid the backdrop of war-and-conflicts and general-news, the Performing Exiles festival is scheduled to feature Mohammad Rasoulof's "Destination: Origin," a theater production he developed in exile following his departure from Iran.
The political climate between Israel and Iran looms as a pressing concern for Rasoulof and the three Iranian actresses involved in the production, with one unsettling instance of no contact with Tehran causing significant worry about their loved ones.*
