A Separation (From Simin) won the 2012 Oscar for Best Foreign-Language Film on Sunday making it the only Iranian movie to ever win at the Academy Awards. The only other Iranian film to be nominated for the honors was Majid Majidi’s 1997 film Children of Heaven which lost to Italy’s Life is Beautiful.
The film was made for a mere $800,000 but has so far earned more than $13 million worldwide including $2.6 million in the U.S. The win will surely result in more ticket sales.
The movie features a couple going through a heart-wrenching divorce in Iran and deeply explores the complex social and religious codes of contemporary Iranian society. Written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, the movie stars Peyman Moadi and Leila Hatami.
In his acceptance speech, director Farhadi explained, “At this time, many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy.
“At a time of talk of war, intimidation and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their county, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture, a rich and ancient culture that has been hidden under the heavy dust of politics.”With his tearful daughter, Sarina Farhadi, who co-stars in the film watching him live in Kodak Theater, Farhadi added: “I proudly offer this award to the people of my country, the people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment.”
A Separation was extremely well supported by the Academy; so much so, that it was also nominated for a best screenplay Oscar. The film also won best foreign film at the Golden Globes.
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| Leila Hatami (R) and Sarina Farhadi enter The Governor’s Ball after the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards® |
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| Peyman Maadi (L), and Asghar Farhadi (center), Oscar®-winner for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year and Original Screenplay, enter The Governor’s Ball |
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