According to Filmfest Hamburg, director Mohammad Rasoulof, who lives in Hamburg and Tehran, has been sentenced to one year in prison in Iran. Rasoulof received an award for his drama "A Man of Integrity" at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

The critical portrayal of Iran in the film "A Man of Integrity" was one of the decisive factors in the conviction. The release of the drama, shot independently and without funding, was supported by the FFHSH in Cannes.

Helge Albers, Managing Director of Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein: "Critical films that ask questions and provoke thought make a vital contribution to a tolerant and open society. We are shocked by the harsh decision of the Iranian court against filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof and stand in solidarity with him. We hope he will soon be able to return to his family in Hamburg.

At the 70th international film festival in Cannes, the drama "A Man of Integrity" won the main prize in the "Un Certain Regard" category. The director, who lives in Hamburg and Tehran, tells the story of goldfish breeder Reza, who lives in a remote Iranian village with his wife and child. Reza fights for his economic independence while a private company with close ties to the government and local councils begins to take over control of the region and displace farmers and small landowners.