Asghar Farhadi, the acclaimed international film director, will be our guest at Amman International Film Festival – Awal Film. The “First and Latest” section highlights seasoned filmmakers, showcasing the evolution of their cinematic language over the years. Farhadi will take us on a journey, sharing the experiences that shaped his visual and narrative style, leading up to his latest productions. The director will share lessons learned throughout his cinematic career, discussing the challenges he faced that contributed to the maturity of his work as a director.
In the introduction to his book “Seven Screenplays”, Farhadi wrote: “I reviewed all my screenplays, searching for one common thread amongst them all, and found that the biggest commonality is the “question”. I started by asking questions, then my questions grew bigger and heavier over time, and their facets multiplied (…). Our world needs those who ask questions more than those who volunteer to give answers; it needs those who place a question mark before anything, no matter how definitive it appears.”
From this brief glimpse into his world, we encourage you to delve into Farhadi’s creative cinematic universe and his unique thinking process. We look forward to seeing you at this discussion session.
Asghar Farhadi
Asghar Farhadi is a renowned Iranian director and screenwriter, considered one of the most prominent cinematic voices in Iran and the world. He was born on May 7, 1972, in the city of Isfahan. From an early age, he showed a great passion for the arts, especially cinema. Farhadi earned a bachelor’s degree in dramatic arts from the University of Tehran in 1988, followed by a master’s degree in theater direction.
Farhadi began his cinematic career by directing his first feature film, “Dancing in the Dust” in 2003. His international fame came with his fourth film, “About Elly” in 2009, which won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 59th Berlin International Film.
Two years later, his film “A Separation” premiered at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Golden Bear for Best Film, becoming the first Iranian film to win this award. The following year, “A Separation” won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and became the first Iranian film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 84th Academy Awards. The film also won the César Award for Best Foreign Film, bringing its total awards to 88.
In 2013, his film “The Past” was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Three years later, he returned with his film “The Salesman,” which competed for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and won Farhadi the award for Best Screenplay. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for the second time. Five years later in 2018, his film “Everybody Knows” was selected as the opening film for the Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for the Palme d’Or.
In 2021, Farhadi won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival for his film “A Hero,” sharing the award with “Compartment No. 6” by Finnish director Juho Kuosmanen.
Asghar Farhadi has contributed to enhancing the status of Iranian cinema on the international stage. His films are characterized by a narrative style that addresses social and ethical issues through multi-dimensional and realistic characters. Farhadi uses everyday tensions and intricate details to build dramatic plots that explore themes such as honor, justice and human relationships. Thanks to his profound human stories and unique cinematic style, he has captured the attention of audiences and critics alike, making him one of the most influential and respected directors in the world today.
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to engage with one of cinema’s greats. Join us on Tuesday, July 9 at 8 PM for a memorable conversation with Asghar Farhadi.
