Despite the fact that Bollywood films are very popular in Pakistan, cinemas and TV channels of the neighboring state have banned Indian productions in shadow of recent tensions between the two sides and are seeking to screen Iranian films as the main substitute.
Accordingly, Asghar Farhadi’s acclaimed film A Saparation was hosted by Pakistan’s National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage in Islamabad on Saturday and numerous people from various age groups watched the film with great enthusiasm.
The audience acknowledged the quality of the Iranian drama movie evaluating it as a masterpiece.
It is believed that Iranian movies can easily replace the Indian movies in Pakistan given their proximity to the Pakistani culture.
Following the screening, Pakistani people were asking for more Iranian films to be screened in Pakistan.
A Separation, a 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi, won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, becoming the first Iranian film to win the award.
The film has so far sold for 20 million dollars in box offices of various countries to turn into the best-selling film in the history of Iranian cinema.
Shahab Hosseini, Leila Hatami, Sarina Farhadi, Sareh Bayat and Merila Zarei are among the cast members of the film.
It has so far bagged more than 52 international awards including Golden Bear for Best Film and the Silver Bears for Best Actress and Best Actor at the 61st Berlin International Film Festival, becoming the first Iranian film to win the Golden Bear. It also won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.
The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, making it the first non-English film in five years to achieve the honor.
HA/82309509