Asghar Farhadi is a renowned Iranian film director, screenwriter, and producer, widely regarded as one of the most prominent filmmakers of Iranian cinema and world cinema in the 21st century.
Born in Isfahan, Iran, Farhadi joined the Isfahan branch office of the Iranian Youth Cinema Society at the age of 15, where he made several short films. He is a graduate of theatre, holding a BA in dramatic arts from the University of Tehran and an MA in stage direction from Tarbiat Modares University.
While pursuing his studies, Farhadi wrote radio plays for Iran's national broadcasting service and directed television programs. He co-wrote the screenplay for the political satire Ertefa-e past (Low Heights, 2002) with Ebrahim Hatamikia.
Farhadi's feature film debut, Dancing in the Dust (2003),tells the story of a young man forced to divorce his wife and hunt snakes in the desert to repay his debts. His next film, The Beautiful City (2004),is about a young man sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit.
Farhadi's breakthrough came with About Elly (2009),which won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The film revolves around a group of friends who go on a weekend trip to the Caspian Sea, revealing secrets over the course of the weekend.
A Separation (2011) won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, telling the story of a middle-class Iranian couple going through a divorce and the moral dilemmas they face.
Farhadi's subsequent films, The Past (2013) and The Salesman (2016),received critical acclaim, with The Salesman winning a second Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
His latest film, A Hero (2021),was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, telling the story of a man released from prison trying to win back his wife's trust.
Farhadi's films are known for their complex plots, realistic characters, and exploration of moral dilemmas, often dealing with themes of family, relationships, and social class.
A master of creating suspense, Farhadi's films are often compared to those of Alfred Hitchcock. He is also a skilled director of actors, featuring some of the most celebrated Iranian actors, including Shahab Hosseini, Leila Hatami, and Taraneh Alidoosti.
In 2022, Farhadi was accused of plagiarism by a former student, claiming he stole the idea for A Hero from a documentary she made. Farhadi denied the allegations, and a court in Iran ruled in his favor, but the allegations have tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his creative process.
Asghar Farhadi is one of the most important filmmakers of our time, offering a unique insight into Iranian society and culture through his thought-provoking and entertaining films.
