Oscars 2012: 'A Separation' Director Pleas For Iran To Be Seen For Its 'Glorious Culture'

Asghar Farhadi, the director of the Iranian film "A Separation," delivers his acceptance speech after winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2012 Academy Awards.

The director of the Iranian film "A Separation," which won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film Sunday night, delivered a heartfelt plea for the people of Iran to be recognized for their contributions to culture and not just for the harsh words exchanged lately between political officials.

"At this time many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy," said Asghar Farhadi, the writer and director of the film. "They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or a filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture."

For the past several months, Iran has become a byword for threat and violence in much of the West, with Israel suggesting the country's possession of a nuclear weapon would be grounds for war.

The U.S. has urged Israel not to take military action, and most American intelligence assessments still say Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.

In a seeming response to war-like rhetoric from Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is often said to have called for Israel to be "wiped off the map," Farhadi added that he offered his award to "the people of my country, a people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment."

As it happens, among the films "A Separation" defeated for the Oscar was an Israeli film, "Footnote."

"A Separation" tells the story of an upper-middle class family living in Tehran and falling apart, as it struggles to balance its daily life with its competing desires to leave the oppressive society of Iran.

Even as Farhadi celebrated a different version of Iran being recognized at the Oscars, he also didn't hold back in his critique about the regime there itself, accusing it of smothering "a rich and ancient culture...under heavy dust of politics."

Farhadi's extended remarks are below:

At this time many Iranians all over the world are watching us and I imagine them to be very happy. They are happy not just because of an important award or a film or a filmmaker, but because at the time when talk of war, intimidation and aggression is exchanged between politicians, the name of their country, Iran, is spoken here through her glorious culture. A rich and ancient culture that has been under heavy dust of politics. I proudly offer this honor to the people of my country, a people who respect all cultures and civilizations and despise hostility and resentment. Thank you very much.

Comments

[GuybrushWilco]

01:18 PM on 02/28/2012

The Iranian people may respect all civilizations and cultures, but their government most definitely does not. Just look at the systematic oppression of religious minorities like the Bahá'í, Zoroastrians, Christiasn etc. Currently exemplified by the pending execution of a Christian pastor, just because he has different religion than the people in power. Or look to the governments official policy of propagating hatred toward citizens from other countries like the US, UK and Israel, with their chants of 'death to America' and the other violent slogans and images that they use. I don't have anything against the Iranian people, but I think it is these policies of their government that are why most of the world has a negative view of their government, and to an extent, some of their current culture. I don't think it is western propaganda that is to blame for it, and they should concentrate on trying to fix these problems to improve the image of their country.

[bob riversmith]

11:31 AM on 02/28/2012

A "glorious culture" ruined by religious fanaticism. As an American, I can relate.
=/

[capt ayhab]

12:01 PM on 02/28/2012

Fanned for great post.

[stillremembers]

11:22 AM on 02/28/2012

I loved this film. I felt so much empathy for each of the characters, and it was so tragic. Everybody lies, even good people. That was the theme that I understood from it, but that's one person's interpretation.

One thing I find disturbing about this article is that it highlights the director's acceptance speech as a criticism of Iran's leaders. Yet it seemed to me to be double-edged. I thought that the phrase "talk of war, intimidation and aggression" could be applied equally to US politicians and media or their Iranian counterparts. It bothers me that here in the US our commentariat has so little self-awareness.

Maybe it's best that each side only sees the criticism of the Other in Mr. Farhadi's comments, for the sake of his safety and for the success of the film. But I can't help but to feel that we will all lose if that's the case. But, then, like the characters in "The Separation" I may just be waxing self-rightously while in denial about my own hypocrisy.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

09:07 AM on 02/28/2012

Just remember,this man is speaking for himself.He's not a politician or someone to ridicule for showing he has heart.Appreciate him for his honest appraisal of his homeland and the heartache he feels.

[bob riversmith]

11:48 AM on 02/28/2012

As do all who live under the oppression of theocracy...

[capt ayhab]

12:05 PM on 02/28/2012

That sentiment is shared by majority of Iranian, be it inside or outside the country. Recall all those multi 100,000 strong demonstrations after the rigged 2009 presidential election all over the country.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&rlz=&q=2009+iranian+demonstrations&gs_sm=3&gs_upl=548777l559590l0l561020l30l30l1l17l18l0l165l1291l2.10l12l0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=9whNT6-QEsrfsQKMhZ0D&biw=1024&bih=649&sei=-QhNT_OKIoG2qgHzwbHFDg

[Robert Rowshan]

11:12 PM on 02/27/2012

Wonderful movie but so sad I almost couldn't finish watching it.

[useyourbrain]

10:42 PM on 02/27/2012

Wondering how this will play out in Iran and the middle east countries since the propaganda has Hollywood owned and controlled by Jews. Then how to explain getting the Oscar? Something for them to consider.

Another point to consider is where Ashkenazi Jews come from - what does that have to do with the subject? I'll tell you. The general meme on the Jews is that they are Sephardic or Ashkenazi. Ashkenazi come from middle Europe, yes, but if you go further back. Further back. A few more steps. A little more. Okay, hold onto your sweaters, the Ashkenazi Jews come from the area that is now Iran. Considering the Mesopotamia was the be all and get all for our western civilization (put that in your pipe and smoke it Santorum). After being forced out of Judea by the Romans in the early Centuries, the Ashkenazi were in the greater Mesopotamia area and Baghdad was the center of Jewish culture.

I knew Ahmadinejad looked like some of my distant relatives. The knowledge that he, and many Iranians are descendants of Jews must really get his panties in a bunch.

Discuss

[persiankat]

11:15 PM on 02/27/2012

What is it about Jews vs Zionists you guys don't get. The issue between israel and Palestinians is not a jewish issue. The issue is zionis regime stealing homes from under Palestinian owners and setting an apartheid state. Palestinians would have been as pissed off as if that was done but Christians, Buddhists, Atheists, or anyone else.
HP Moderators: Please don't hold this in pending for 1/2 hour just because keywords, israel and zionist is in it.

[TeeSC]

10:04 AM on 02/28/2012

BS.  It's absolutely about Jews.  Since when did Iranians care about Palestinians... or vice versa.  Where is your concern for Darfur?  Where are your tears for Somalia?  Nooooooo... instead you obsess about Israel.  Get real.

[bob riversmith]

11:41 AM on 02/28/2012

Go far enough back in human history and all of our ancestors were a species of ape living in Africa, dashing from tree to tree to avoid predators.

We're all one species. The only thing that divides us is a bunch of Bronze Age mumbo jumbo.

[Swedenworks]

09:05 PM on 02/27/2012

It is a glorious culture. Going to see Perisan musicians perform has been a true highlight of my life.

[Swedenworks]

11:28 PM on 02/27/2012

Oops, Persian.

[kiksadi50]

07:55 PM on 02/27/2012

I thought his speech was very moving and brave.

[eshine]

06:57 PM on 02/27/2012

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Iran

Sounds like a lovely place to visit.

[persiankat]

07:57 PM on 02/27/2012

Why? Did you get an invitation. If so just decline.

[eshine]

11:24 PM on 02/27/2012

No I wasnt invited, and of course I would decline.

Are you actually defending the torture and murder of gays in Iran - particularly gay youth?

Are you going to deny that women arent horribly perscecuted in Iran?

Seriously?

[SheilaKhani]

06:41 PM on 02/27/2012

although this movie was a family drama, many Iranian movie makers do their best to show the political oppression...they get censored and often imprisoned. This is for those who demand moderate muslims to rise up and fight against radical Islamists.

[PhilliePhan]

05:58 PM on 02/27/2012

Ok, no go home and yell I want a democracy like the west from your rooftop and see what happens.

[persiankat]

07:58 PM on 02/27/2012

Well, some people did that in Oakland as well.

[capt ayhab]

12:36 PM on 02/28/2012

Actually they did, after the rigged election of 2009 for moths 100's of thousands people demonstrated during the days and shouting for freedom during the night from rooftops.

Seems to me you know nothing about ordinary Iranians who struggle with their oppressive government on daily basis and yearn for real democracy without religion in the government.  Just to a google search for 2009 rigged election demonstrations and you will get the point.

[sunlion333]

05:50 PM on 02/27/2012

It was wonderful to see an Iranian viewed and accepted in a light other than that of his Government oppressor. I came to this comments section expecting a bombardment of hate and am pleasantly surprised to find others who see the people of Iran as separate from the Idealogius Theocrats that isolate them from the rest of the world. Bravo, Farhadi!

[AntonBursch]

05:39 PM on 02/27/2012

if santorum wins, maybe we'll become the next Iran!

[mistlesuede]

05:24 PM on 02/27/2012

That was a profound and moving moment last evening. I would imagine it is very hard to be in this country being from Iran and hear the h8ful rhetoric from some. He, like us, would probably like to live in peace.

[eshine]

04:42 PM on 02/27/2012

Stop stoning your women and murdering gay people and we"ll talk about your lovely "culture"

[moebalot]

05:14 PM on 02/27/2012

Does anyone know where we put the can of "Raid"?

[StinkyMoBub]

05:19 PM on 02/27/2012

Stop imprisoning your people indefinitely, torturing and executing your people....wait a second, that's US!

Never mind...

[plebian43]

05:41 PM on 02/27/2012

Soon to have 30,000 drones patrolling our skies per the FAA Reauthorization Act recently passed and by Con-gress and signed by the Kwisatz Haderach.

[Norman Tabernacle]

10:21 PM on 02/27/2012

Here's a thought: If you feel this way (which is not based in reality), why don't you leave this country? I would be more than happy to help you pack.