Asghar Farhadi receives Honorary Heart of Sarajevo

TEHRAN- Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi has received the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the art of cinema.

The award was presented to the two-time Academy Award-winning director at the National Theatre of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on Thursday, August 20, with Jovan Marjanović, director of the Sarajevo Film Festival, honoring Farhadi as one of Iran’s most acclaimed filmmakers.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Marjanović praised Farhadi’s distinctive approach to filmmaking, saying the Iranian director finds extraordinary drama within ordinary life.

“There are filmmakers who build their cinema around extraordinary events. Asghar Farhadi does something that may be even more difficult. He finds extraordinary drama within ordinary life,” Marjanović said.

He pointed to the everyday situations that form the basis of Farhadi’s films, including marriages, families, misunderstandings and seemingly small decisions that can lead characters into situations where every choice has consequences.

“His films are incredibly precise. They begin with people and their everyday lives and gradually expand into much larger questions about truth, responsibility, dignity, family and the choices we make when there is no perfect choice,” he added.

Marjanović also highlighted the international reach of Farhadi’s cinema, saying his films have crossed languages, cultures and borders while remaining deeply rooted in the lives and societies from which they emerged.

“Your very distinctive way of filmmaking has made you one of the defining filmmakers of contemporary world cinema,” he told Farhadi.

The festival director also recalled Farhadi’s previous connection with the Sarajevo Film Festival. In 2018, the Iranian filmmaker served as president of the jury of the Feature Film Competition, while his film “Everybody Knows” was screened in the Open Air program.

“This year, through the ‘Tribute To’ program, we have had the privilege of looking at this remarkable body of work with you here in Sarajevo,” Marjanović said, before presenting Farhadi with the honorary award.

Accepting the award, Farhadi described the recognition as a significant moment in his career and expressed his appreciation for the Sarajevo Film Festival and its audience.

“Receiving this award, a lifetime achievement award, is a big moment for me. This is a meaningful award and I thank the Sarajevo Film Festival for presenting it to me,” he said.

Farhadi noted that this was his second visit to Sarajevo and recalled his previous experience as a member of the festival jury.

“I like the whole atmosphere of this city. Tonight I want to mention that a large number of audiences come here. I had a screening here and thousands of people watched my film,” he said.

Expressing his admiration for the festival’s development, Farhadi added, “I was very happy to discover this festival and I am happy to see how the Sarajevo Film Festival has developed over the years. It has a special cinematic identity.”

Farhadi was also scheduled to hold a masterclass at the festival’s main venue, the Bosnian Cultural Center on Friday, as part of this year’s program.

The filmmaker was honored through the festival’s “Tribute To” program, which included a special presentation of his work. The program concluded with a screening of “A Separation,” Farhadi’s acclaimed 2011 drama, which is regarded as one of his most celebrated and internationally awarded films.

“A Separation” brought Farhadi his first Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, making him the first Iranian filmmaker to win the Oscar in the category. He received his second Academy Award for “The Salesman” in 2017. His “A Hero” also won the Grand Prix at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival.

Farhadi’s latest film, “Parallel Tales,” shot in France, was screened at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

The 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival was held from August 14 to 21, bringing together filmmakers and cinema professionals from around the world.

SAB/