Biography
Asghar Farhadi, born on May 7, 1972, in Isfahan Province, Iran, attended Tarbiat Modares University and the University of Tehran. These institutions shaped his understanding of storytelling and human psychology, key elements of his film work. Farhadi is married to Parisa Bakhtavar, and together they've navigated Iran's film industry while gaining international fame.
Farhadi started directing with "Dancing in the Dust" in 2003, followed by "The Beautiful City" in 2004, and "Fireworks Wednesday" in 2006. These films focused on family dynamics and moral complexity. His breakthrough came with "About Elly" in 2009, which earned him the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival and introduced international audiences to his style of crafting stories from simple situations that reveal deeper ethical questions.
He achieved major success with "A Separation" in 2011, the first Iranian film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It also won a Golden Bear at Berlin, a César Award for Best Foreign Film, and a Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film. This was followed by "The Past" in 2013, filmed in France, which earned him the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury at Cannes, showing his skill in exploring universal themes in different cultures.
Farhadi won his second Academy Award with "The Salesman" in 2016, making him one of the few directors to win the Best International Feature Film Oscar twice. The film also got the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes. His later films include "Everybody Knows" in 2018, filmed in Spain with an international cast, and "A Hero" in 2021, which won the Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix. Throughout his career, Farhadi has racked up numerous awards, including the Asian Film Award for Best Director and multiple Chlotrudis Awards. Time magazine named him one of the most influential people in the world in 2012.
Before Fame
Growing up in Isfahan Province during the 1970s and 1980s, Farhadi experienced a significant time in Iranian history, witnessing the Islamic Revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq War. These experiences of social change and moral challenges later influenced his films, which often explore ethical dilemmas and family tensions. His studies at Tarbiat Modares University and the University of Tehran gave him a strong intellectual base that he applied to his understanding of human relationships and social dynamics.
The Iranian New Wave cinema movement of the 1990s and early 2000s allowed new filmmakers to explore personal and social themes while working within the country's cultural guidelines. Farhadi began his filmmaking career during this time, when directors like Abbas Kiarostami and Mohsen Makhmalbaf had already put Iran on the map in world cinema, creating an environment that valued artistic expression and advanced storytelling techniques.
Key Achievements
- Won Academy Award for Best International Feature Film twice, for A Separation (2011) and The Salesman (2016)
- Received the Golden Bear at Berlin International Film Festival for A Separation
- Earned Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix for A Hero (2021)
- Won Silver Bear for Best Director at Berlin International Film Festival for About Elly
- Became the first Iranian filmmaker to receive widespread international critical acclaim and commercial success
Did You Know?
- 01.In 2012, Farhadi was included on Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world
- 02.He received the Legion of Honour from France in 2012, one of the country's highest decorations
- 03.Farhadi did not attend the 2017 Academy Awards ceremony for The Salesman due to the travel restrictions imposed by the Trump administration's immigration policies
- 04.His film A Separation was the first Iranian film ever to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
- 05.He wrote and directed episodes for Iranian television before transitioning to feature films
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Silver Bear for Best Director | 2009 | — |
| Golden Bear | 2011 | — |
| César Award for Best Foreign Film | 2012 | — |
| Golden Globe Award for Best Non-English Language Film | 2012 | — |
| Asian Film Award for Best Director | 2012 | — |
| Prize of the Ecumenical Jury Cannes | 2013 | — |
| Chlotrudis Award for Best Director | 2014 | — |
| Chlotrudis Award for Best Original Screenplay | 2014 | — |
| Best Screenplay Award | 2016 | — |
| Cannes Film Festival Grand Prix | 2021 | — |