Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi won the 2017 Oscar in the category of Foreign Language Film for THE SALESMAN, but unfortunately he did not attend the 2017 Oscars. In solidarity with those affected by the recent U.S. travel ban, Asghar Farhadi chose not to attend, but Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian-American engineer and CEO read a statement that he had prepared.
Farhadi thanked the Academy, his producers and crew and his fellow nominees in the category which included LAND OF MINE from Denmark, A MAN CALLED OVE from Sweden, TANNA from Australia and TONI ERDMANN from Germany.
In his statement, Asghar Farhadi wrote "dividing the world into the 'us' and 'our enemies' categories creates fear; a deceitful justification for aggression and war." The 2017 Oscars audience loudly applauded Farhadi's win as well as his statement. This marks Iran's third nomination and second win in the category. The film A SEPARATION won in 2011 and the film CHILDREN OF HEAVEN was nominated in 1998.
I'm sorry I'm not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people of my country, and those of other six nations, whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S.
Asghar Farhadi
"It’s a great honor to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I would like to thank the members of the Academy, my crew in Iran, my producer Alexandre Mallet-Guy, Cohen media, Amazon, and my fellow nominees in the foreign film category. I’m sorry I’m not with you tonight. My absence is out of respect for the people in my country and those of other six nations whom have been disrespected by the inhumane law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the “us “ and “our enemies” categories creates fear, a deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries which have themselves been victims of aggression. Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture shared human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between “us” and “others,” an empathy which we need today more than ever. Thank you on behalf of Mr. Farhadi."
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