TEHRAN- The 63rd Cartagena de Indias International Film Festival (FICCI), in Cartagena, Colombia, paid tribute to the world-renowned Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi on April 18. 

At the ceremony, the festival award, the Golden India statuette, was presented to Farhadi, recognizing his exceptional artistic career in the seventh art, ISNA reported.

With two Oscar Awards for Best Foreign Language Film for “A Separation” (2011) and “The Salesman” (2016), Farhadi has captivated the global audience with his unique vision.

A panel discussion was also held on the same day, where Ansgar Vogt, artistic director of FICCI, spoke with Farhadi about his career and his films.

Farhadi is widely acclaimed for his masterful storytelling, intricate character portrayals, and nuanced exploration of complex human relationships. His films have garnered widespread critical acclaim and numerous awards.

Considered one of the most prominent filmmakers of Iran and world cinema in the 21st century, Farhadi became interested in cinema in his teenage years and started his education in filmmaking by joining the Youth Cinema Society of Esfahan in 1986 where he made 8mm and 16mm short films. He received his Bachelor of Dramatic Arts at the University of Tehran in 1998 and his Masters in Stage Direction a few years later.

Almost all of Farhadi’s films have won awards at every festival where they were displayed. According to critics, his scripts are deep sociological, psychological, and philosophical studies of problems that are universal in society, and his films have gained recognition because of their focus on the human condition and because they describe intimate and challenging stories about family conflicts.

Born in Isfahan, Farhadi, 51, debuted as a director with “Dancing in the Dust” (2003). After the success of “About Elly” (2009), which won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlinale, Farhadi obtained critical recognition with “A Separation” (2011), receiving no less than 70 awards, including an Academy Award and a César for Best Foreign Film.

He then left Iran for France to shoot “The Past” (2013), which won Bérénice Bejo the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013.

Returning to Iran, he directed “The Salesman” (2016), which premiered in competition at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, where the film won Best Screenplay and Best Actor (Shahab Hosseini). The film became Farhadi’s biggest success and earned him the second Academy Award of his career.

His latest film, A Hero (2021) won the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Farhadi is on the list of directors who have won the Best Foreign Film Oscar more than once. The others are Vittorio de Sica and Federico Fellini (four times each), Ingmar Bergman (three times), and René Clément and Akira Kurosawa (twice each).

FICCI, one of the oldest film festivals in Latin America, is renowned for showcasing a diverse array of international cinema, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering dialogue among filmmakers and audiences.

This year’s edition of the festival started on April 16 and will continue until April 21. With over 200 screenings, 26 world premieres, 37 Latin American premieres, and 50 national premieres, the festival focuses on new talents and the new generations of filmmakers in Colombia.

SS/