Asghar Farhadi was conspicuous with his absence this Sunday when he received Academy award in the foreign film category for his film The Salesman. His award was received by an Astronaut and a NASA scientist.
The NASA scientist explained that Farhadi chose them over many other American Iranians to receive the award to send a message to the present political dispensation that when you see Earth from space there are no borders.
I will be reading a statement by Mr. 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 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.
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.
This is Asghar Farhadi’s second academy award. He had won his first Oscars for “The Separation” in 2012.
Hillele 