Posted:
Tehran (AFP) – Prominent Iranian director Askar Farhadi has sharply criticized the Tehran government in an open letter, saying he wants to avoid representing his country in the competition for the Oscars.
On his Instagram page, Farhadi responded to accusations that he had taken a vague stance against the Iranian authorities, saying, “How can anyone link me to a government that has never stopped extremist media in recent years from destroying, marginalizing and destroying me.
Farhadi lives between Iran and abroad, but he has shot most of his films in his home country, his latest work “Kahraman” (“Hero”), which won the Grand Prix at this year’s Cannes Film Festival and was selected to represent Iran. The next edition of the Oscars.
The director added, “I have openly expressed my view on the suffering that (the government) has inflicted on the nation over the years, especially the repression of the protests in 2017 and 2019 and the” horrific discrimination against women. ” As well as health crisis management.
Speaking to officials, he said, “Since Iran has selected my picture for the Oscars, if you have decided that I am under your banner, I openly declare that I have no problem changing this decision.”
He continued, “I have not expressed any support for your reactionary position and comments.
Farhadi has represented the Islamic Republic at the Academy Awards four times since 2009.
He became famous for his film “A Separation” (2011), which deals with the story of divorce, and won two Academy Awards, the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film, the Caesar Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Golden Bear. At the Berlin Festival.
In 2017, it also won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film for “The Salesman”, which deals with the story of two married actors who lead a turbulent life after their wife is attacked.
Commenting on the open letter from the “Keihan” newspaper, which is affiliated with hardline conservatives, he said, “We deeply regret that the authorities selected Oscar Farhadi to represent Iran at the Oscars.”
“Festive awards and foreign investment seem to have changed Farhadi (encouraging him) to paint a dark and dirty picture of Iran,” the newspaper said.
On the other hand, the newspaper “Shark”, which is closest to the reformers, said, “Farhadi’s image does not apply to those who praise or accuse him in Iran. He has always made clear his position on social and political issues.”
© 2021 AFP
“Coffee evangelist. Alcohol fanatic. Hardcore creator. Infuriatingly humble zombie ninja. Writer. Introvert. Music fanatic.”
