Mohammad Rasoulof Highlights Jafar Panahi's Sentence at Tokyo Kurosawa Akira Award Press Conference

Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof and Japanese filmmaker O Mipo accepted Tokyo's prestigious Kurosawa Akira Award, using the platform to discuss ongoing industry pressures, the reality of political repression, and the challenges of balancing filmmaking with family life.

Published 3 November 2026

Kurosawa Akira Award Recognition

The Tokyo International Film Festival highlighted two distinct cinematic voices by naming Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof and Japanese filmmaker O Mipo as the recipients of the esteemed Kurosawa Akira Award. During a joint press conference, both creators reflected on their respective artistic journeys, the obstacles they overcame, and the enduring power of visual storytelling.

The selection committee, headed by Yamada Yoji alongside director Lee Sang-il, cinematographer Ashizawa Akiko, and programming director Ichiyama Shozo, evaluated candidates based on their contributions to cinema and their courage in addressing complex societal themes.

Addressing Iranian Cinema Repression

Accepting the honor, Mohammad Rasoulof turned attention toward the systematic challenges faced by artists in his home country, asserting that Iranian cinema remains heavily suppressed. He spoke out about the immense pressure placed on his peers and colleagues within the industry.

To illustrate the severity of the ongoing clampdown, Rasoulof brought up the recent legal actions taken against fellow filmmaker Jafar Panahi. He noted that Panahi, who secured the Palme d'Or at Cannes previously, received another harsh sentence consisting of five additional years behind bars alongside the seizure of his personal property.

Moving Away From Allegory

Rasoulof shared how his artistic perspective transformed following his own 2010 arrest while working on a production, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence. Confined in a cell, he questioned the justification behind penalizing artists for making motion pictures.

Historically, classical Persian poets relied on metaphor and allegory to shield their work from authorities, a technique Rasoulof initially adopted to evade the regime. However, his time in confinement convinced him to abandon self-protective storytelling in favor of addressing heavy themes directly without running away.

Honoring Rasoulof's Bold Filmography

The festival selection committee specifically commended Rasoulof for his fearless exploration of human rights abuses and state-enforced oppression. They spotlighted his acclaimed features 'There Is No Evil' and 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig' for portraying even the enforcers of oppressive systems as ordinary citizens.

Growing up, Rasoulof watched the Kurosawa classic 'Red Beard' over ten times on Iranian state television. Today, the Kurosawa picture that offers him the most solace is 'Dersu Uzala,' which he turns to whenever feelings of hopelessness arise in order to reconnect with life and rediscover hope.

O Mipo's Return After a Nine-Year Hiatus

Co-recipient O Mipo discussed her long absence from directing, which spanned nine years as she raised her two sons. After welcoming her first child in 2015 and a second in 2020, she initially believed her career in the film industry had permanently ended because she could not successfully balance parenting with active production.

Her perspective shifted dramatically while watching the Japan Academy Film Prize ceremony on television. Hearing best actress winner Ando Sakura state plainly that filmmaking and child-rearing cannot be performed simultaneously provided O with a profound sense of relief and the motivation needed to resume her professional career.

Crafting 'How Dare You?' With Children

Marking her comeback, O directed her first feature in nearly a decade, 'How Dare You?,' utilizing unconventional casting methods. Instead of traditional auditions, she hosted weekend workshops involving large groups of children, ultimately selecting mostly first-time actors rather than trained child performers.

Despite a common viewer misconception that the film relied on hidden cameras or improvised scenes, O confirmed that the project followed a complete screenplay written alongside Takada Ryo. The production involved rigorous rehearsals where the natural phrasing of the young cast helped shape the dialogue organically.

Legacy and Cinematic Ideals

The Kurosawa committee praised O for her empathetic lens regarding individuals on the margins of society, noting her 2006 debut 'The Sakai's Happiness' as well as her sensitive handling of children in 'Being Good,' 'Living in Two Worlds,' and 'How Dare You?' Discovering Kurosawa's 'Rashomon' during her student years, she later trained under Obayashi Nobuhiko.

Reflecting on the industry, O voiced her desire for crews to prioritize their personal lives and families over grueling work expectations. Both honorees underscored a shared belief in Kurosawa's vision that cinema holds the transformative beauty and power to foster peace worldwide.

News Overview

Filmmakers Mohammad Rasoulof and O Mipo received the Kurosawa Akira Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where Rasoulof highlighted the ongoing repression in Iran and Jafar Panahi's recent prison sentence. Meanwhile, O discussed overcoming her nine-year career hiatus to direct her comeback feature after finding inspiration in another artist's candid remarks about parenting and work.

Key facts

Mohammad Rasoulof and O Mipo received the Kurosawa Akira Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Jafar Panahi was sentenced to five additional years in prison and had his property confiscated.
Mohammad Rasoulof was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison in 2010.
O Mipo took a nine-year break from directing to raise her two sons, born in 2015 and 2020.
O Mipo's debut feature was 'The Sakai's Happiness' in 2006.