Farhadi Debuts Cannes Film, Rejects Iran Work
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- Asghar Farhadi premiered "Parallel Tales" in Cannes competition — his 10th feature and fifth Cannes competition entry — loosely inspired by Krzysztof Kieślowski's 1988 "Dekalog: Six" and starring Isabelle Huppert as a voyeur-turned-foley-artist.
- "Parallel Tales" opened in France on May 14 and is still seeking North American distribution, with the source describing reception as mixed reviews.
- Farhadi told Anne Thompson he won't work in Iran "as long as I have to ask for a permit and not work freely," while acknowledging he has "curiosity" about making films in less familiar contexts.
- The film's origin traces to a five-year-old offer from the "Dekalog" producers, who first pitched a 10-episode TV series Farhadi declined; he returned when offered a single feature inspired by Episode Six, "A Short Story About Love."
- Farhadi's previous film "A Hero" (2021) won the Cannes Grand Prix but triggered plagiarism charges that ended in acquittal when the underlying real-life incident was ruled public domain — a plagiarism theme that, per Farhadi, may unconsciously surface in "Parallel Tales" as well.
- Farhadi endorsed the Academy rule change making key non-English-language festival prize winners eligible for Best International Film Oscar, calling it "a good and wise decision" and adding, "we have been fighting for this change."
- "Parallel Tales" is Farhadi's second French-language feature, following "The Past" (Cannes Best Actress for Bérénice Bejo) and the Spanish-language "Everybody Knows" (2017) with Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz.
Why it matters: Farhadi's 'A Hero' Grand Prix would now qualify him for Best International Film under the Academy's new rule, which he explicitly endorses. His refusal to seek an Iranian work permit removes one of Iran's most decorated auteurs from its censored film system.
