Story of couple who split up over decision to leave Iran
Name
Asghar Farhadi
Born
Isfahan, Iran, 1972
Background
Farhadi embarked on filmmaking while still at school, where he made Super 8 and 16mm films as part of the Iranian Young Cinema Society. He went on to graduate from Tehran University with a Masters in Direction. His feature debut came in 2003 with Dancing in the Dust, followed by The Beautiful City (2004) and Fireworks Wednesday (2006). In 2009 Farhadi won the Best Director award at Berlin Film Festival for About Elly, the story of a group of Iranian friends who head to the Caspian Sea on a short holiday.
What’s he up to now?
Farhadi’s latest film, A Separation, also received great acclaim at Berlin Film Festival. It won the Golden Bear award for Best Film (the first Iranian film to do so) as well as the Best Actor and Best Actress prizes for the ensemble cast. It tells the story of a couple, Nader and Simin, who decide to separate following a dispute as to whether they should leave Iran to ensure better prospects for their daughter, and the events that ensue.
On the genesis of the film
‘I’m not sure when the first spark for the story came to my mind, but I guess it started with a few pictures in my head that wouldn’t leave me. They weren’t obviously connected, such as a picture of a man who bathes hi… >>>
