Asghar Farhadi
Iranian filmmaker known for intimate family dramas.
Asghar Farhadi (born 7 May 1972) is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. He is considered one of the most prominent filmmakers of Iranian cinema as well as world cinema in the 21st century. His films have gained recognition for their focus on the human condition, and portrayals of intimate and challenging stories of internal family conflicts for which he has received many international accolades including two Academy Awards, a Golden Bear, and a Prix du scénario among others. In 2012, he was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world. That same year, he also received the Legion of Honour from France.
- born
- 7 May 1972
- field
- Film director and screenwriter
- nationality
- Iranian
- known_for
- Two Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film (A Separation, The Salesm
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Farhadi was born in Homayoon Shahr, a city located in the Isfahan province near the city of Isfahan. At age 15, in 1987, he joined the Isfahan branch office of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society, which had been established 4 years earlier, and he made several short films. He holds a BA in dramatic arts from University of Tehran and an MA in stage direction from Tarbiat Modares University. He made his directorial film debut with the drama Dancing in the Dust (2003), followed by The Beautiful City (2004) and Fireworks Wednesday (2006). He gained acclaim for his film About Elly (2009), earning a Silver Bear for Best Director at the 59th International Berlin Film Festival. Film theorist and critic David Bordwell has called About Elly a masterpiece.
Reader's Guide
Farhadi became one of the few directors worldwide to have won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film twice, for the family drama A Separation (2011) and the moral drama The Salesman (2016), the latter of which also received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay. A Separation premiered at the 29th Fajr International Film Festival and won the Golden Bear at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to win that award. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and the César Award for Best Foreign Film. In 2012, Farhadi was included on the annual Time 100 list and received the Legion of Honour from France. He earned acclaim for The Past (2013), filmed in France, and Everybody Knows (2018), filmed in Spain. He returned to Iran with A Hero (2021), which earned him the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prix.
Did You Know?
- Farhadi is one of the few directors worldwide to have won the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film twice, for A Separation (2011) and The Salesman (2016).
- At age 15, in 1987, he joined the Isfahan branch office of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society, which had been established 4 years earlier.
- His film A Separation was the first Iranian movie to win the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
- The Salesman won two awards at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival: Best Actor for Shahab Hosseini and Best Screenplay for Farhadi.
- Farhadi's film A Hero (2021) earned him the Cannes Film Festival's Grand Prix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Asghar Farhadi?
Asghar Farhadi is an Iranian filmmaker born on May 7, 1972, who works as both a director and screenwriter. He is widely regarded as one of the most significant voices in 21st-century world cinema, particularly within the Iranian film tradition.
What are Asghar Farhadi's most acclaimed films?
His two most internationally celebrated works are A Separation and The Salesman, both of which earned him the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film. These films are noted for their deep exploration of personal and family tensions within everyday Iranian life.
How many Academy Awards has Asghar Farhadi won?
Farhadi has received two Oscars, both in the Best International Feature Film category, for A Separation and The Salesman. He has also been honored with a Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and a Prix du scénario.
What themes define Asghar Farhadi's filmmaking?
His work consistently centers on the complexities of human relationships, particularly the pressures and conflicts that arise within families and close communities. Rather than relying on spectacle, he builds tension through morally ambiguous situations and deeply drawn characters.
Is Asghar Farhadi still active in filmmaking?
Yes, Farhadi continues to direct and write films, maintaining his position as a leading figure in contemporary cinema. His body of work spans from the early 2000s through the present, with each project refining his signature approach to character-driven storytelling.
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