Festival Programme My account

20TH edition NOVEMBER 24 TO DECEMBER 2, 2023

conversation with

Asghar Farhadi

Director

Iran

17 November 2022

Biographie

Multi-award-winning director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi was born in Iran in 1972. He
started his education in filmmaking as a teenager when he joined the Youth Cinema Society
of Esfahan. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theatre and a master’s degree in stage
direction, Farhadi made his feature directorial debut with Dance in the Dust (2003). His third
feature, Fireworks Wednesday (2006), won the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film
Festival, while About Elly (2009) won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin
International Film Festival.
His next film, A Separation (2011), was a sensation, winning
critical acclaim and a plethora of awards worldwide, including the Academy Award for Best
Foreign Language Film, making Farhadi the first Iranian filmmaker to win an Oscar. He went
on to make further notable films, including The Past (2013), The Salesman (2016), which
gave him his second Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Everybody Knows (2018) and A
Hero (2021).

Multi-award-winning director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi was born in Iran in 1972. He
started his education in filmmaking as a teenager when he joined the Youth Cinema Society
of Esfahan. After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theatre and a master’s degree in stage
direction, Farhadi made his feature directorial debut with Dance in the Dust (2003). His third
feature, Fireworks Wednesday (2006), won the Gold Hugo at the Chicago International Film
Festival, while About Elly (2009) won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin
International Film Festival.
His next film, A Separation (2011), was a sensation, winning
critical acclaim and a plethora of awards worldwide, including the Academy Award for Best
Foreign Language Film, making Farhadi the first Iranian filmmaker to win an Oscar. He went
on to make further notable films, including The Past (2013), The Salesman (2016), which
gave him his second Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, Everybody Knows (2018) and A
Hero (2021).

Selected filmography

A Hero (Ghahreman, 2021)—Chalais Award, Festival de Cannes Achievement in Directing, Asia Pacific Screen Awards
Everybody Knows (Todos lo saben, 2018)
The Salesman (Forushande, 2016)—Best Screenplay , Best Screenwriter, Asian Film Awards
The Past (2013)—Prize of the Ecumenical Jury
A Separation (Jodaeiye Nader Az Simin, 2011) – Best Foreign Film , Prix César Awards; Golden Bear, Prize of the Ecumenical Jury ; Special Jury Award Best Film , Asia Pacific Screen Awards; Best Director, Best Screenwriter Asian Film Awards
About Elly (Darbareye Elly, 2009)—Silver Bear
Berlinale; Best Screenplay, Jury Grand Prize, Asia
Pacific Screen Awards
Fireworks Wednesday (Chaharshanbe-soori,
2006)
Beautiful City (Shahr-e ziba, 2004)
Dance in the Dust (Raghs dar ghobar,
2003)
Dastane yek shahr (TV; 2000–2001)