The Seed of the Sacred Fig

In the climactic ending of The Seed of the Sacred Fig, Iman faces a final confrontation with Sana, his daughter, who is visibly frightened and fires the gun into the ground. The shot causes the earth beneath them to give way, engulfing Iman in rubble and dust. The film leaves his fate ambiguous, but it strongly implies that he dies in this fall, as only his motionless hand is visible sticking out from the debris. His death symbolizes the collapse of his rigid, authoritarian worldview—brought about by the rebellion and innocence of his own family. Iman’s obsession with control and reputation, seen in his violent attempts to recover his lost gun, ultimately leads to his downfall. His death also underscores the destructive cycle of authoritarian power, where the desire to dominate and maintain a fake sense of order results in tragic, self-inflicted ruin.

The act of Sana taking the gun is portrayed as a childish rebellion—an innocent gesture of defiance that spirals into tragedy. It serves as a metaphor for the fragile power structures the regime embodies, which depend on oppression and rigid laws that ultimately break under the weight of resistance. The film’s broader message resonates in its final scenes, showing women protesting on the streets during the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, which contrasts starkly with Iman’s grim end. His death acts as a critique of authoritarian regimes that suffocate society with their unjust laws and arrogance. Rasoulof leaves viewers with a powerful image of hope, suggesting that even in the face of such oppressive systems, collective courage and resilience—like those demonstrated by the ongoing protests—can lead toward change and liberation. Through this, the film underscores that oppressive authority is inherently unsustainable and bound to fall, much like Iman does in his desperate attempt to hold onto power.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:03