Asghar Farhadi: Domestic Secrets

For this edition of Virtual Cinémathèque we delve into the cinematic landscape of Asghar Farhadi. ACMI Director of Film Programs Kristy Matheson provides an overview and notes on each film.

Over the relatively short career of eight feature films, Asghar Farhadi has become recognised as a master filmmaker both internationally and within his native Iran.

He is cited as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine in 2012, is the winner of countless international film prizes and is the only Iranian filmmaker to win an Academy Award® in any of the competitive categories.

There are a number of themes that reoccur across Farhadi's cinematic landscape. These two tales of urban society offer prominence to private spaces where characters can flex their emotional muscles and bare their souls. Domestic settings also provide Farhadi with an opportunity to truly explore class relations.

Quite apart from simply depicting the reality of his society, these class interactions provide much of the rich complexion to these films.

– Kristy Matheson

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Keep safe and all the best,

The Melbourne Cinémathèque committee & ACMI