Asghar Farhadi Condemns Iran War and Protest Crackdown at Cannes
At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Iranian director Asghar Farhadi used his film premiere to condemn both US-Israeli military strikes on Iran and the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on domestic protesters. Describing civilian deaths as unjustifiable crimes, Farhadi highlighted the humanitarian crisis stemming from external aggression and internal repression. His statements drew global attention to the ongoing conflict and human rights violations in Iran, leveraging the international platform to advocate for innocent victims amidst a fragile ceasefire and severe political unrest.
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Iranian Director Farhadi Condemns Crackdown and War Deaths at Cannes
Acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, expressed deep pain over the thousands of deaths resulting from a January government crackdown on protesters and the ongoing war involving Iran. Farhadi, whose new film "Parallel Tales" premiered at the festival, revealed he had recently visited Tehran and remains deeply affected by the violence. He emphasized that the suffering of innocent people killed daily is unforgettable. The article contextualizes his remarks with background on the historic January protests and the subsequent conflict initiated by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in February, which has expanded across the Middle East. Farhadi, a two-time Oscar winner known for "A Separation" and "The Salesman," has lived largely outside Iran since 2023. His presence at Cannes highlights the intersection of international cinema and geopolitical crisis, as he brings attention to the humanitarian toll of recent events in his home country while competing for the festival's top prize.
The Straits Times World NewsIranian Director Farhadi Condemns War Casualties and Protest Crackdowns at Cannes
Oscar-winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi used the platform of the Cannes Film Festival to condemn both external military aggression and internal state violence in Iran. Speaking during the premiere of his latest film, "Parallel Tales," Farhadi criticized the killing of civilians in recent US and Israeli attacks on Iran, as well as the "massacring" of domestic protesters by the Islamic Republic. He emphasized that every murder is a crime, regardless of justification, referencing the deaths of innocent demonstrators prior to the current conflict. The article notes that Iran has been engaged in war with Israel and the US since late February 2026, with a fragile ceasefire currently holding. While the government attributes protest violence to foreign-backed terrorism, human rights groups estimate significantly higher casualty figures from security force crackdowns. Farhadi's comments come amidst strict censorship and pressure on Iranian artists, with other prominent directors facing imprisonment or exile. Despite the political weight of his statements, Farhadi's new film received mixed to negative reviews from critics at the festival.
AL-MONITOR: The Pulse of The Middle EastAsghar Farhadi Condemns State Violence and War at Cannes Press Conference
Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi used a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival to strongly condemn both state violence against protesters in Iran and the ongoing war involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Speaking during the premiere of his new film, Parallel Tales, Farhadi described the deaths of civilians and demonstrators as "extremely cruel and tragic." He emphasized that condemning one form of violence does not negate empathy for victims of the other, asserting that any murder of innocent people is a crime. Farhadi, who has lived outside Iran since 2023 due to censorship laws, recounted recent visits to Tehran and the profound impact of witnessing these tragedies. He reiterated his stance against filming in Iran while repressive laws remain and called on fellow filmmakers to speak out against attacks on civilian infrastructure, labeling them war crimes. The article also contextualizes his remarks within the broader presence of Iranian cinema at Cannes, noting recent awards and exiles of other prominent Iranian directors like Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof.
The GuardianIranian Director Farhadi Condemns US-Israeli Strikes and Domestic Crackdown at Cannes
At the Cannes Film Festival, acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi used the premiere of his latest film, "Parallel Tales," to issue a strong political statement. On Friday, Farhadi publicly condemned two distinct sources of violence affecting Iran. First, he criticized the civilian casualties resulting from air strikes conducted by the United States and Israel within Iranian territory. Second, he denounced the Islamic Republic's internal security measures, specifically describing the state's response to domestic dissent as the "massacring" of protesters. This dual condemnation highlights Farhadi's stance against both external military aggression and internal authoritarian repression. The event took place during the prestigious international film festival, drawing attention to the intersection of cinema and political activism. Farhadi, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, leveraged the global platform to bring awareness to the humanitarian crises facing his home country, addressing both foreign policy impacts and domestic human rights violations in a single, impactful declaration.
France 24 - International breaking news, top stories and headlinesAsghar Farhadi Condemns War in Iran and Protester Deaths at Cannes
At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi publicly condemned two major tragedies affecting his homeland. Speaking during the premiere of his new French-language film, "Parallel Tales," Farhadi denounced the civilian casualties resulting from recent military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran. Simultaneously, he criticized the Iranian government for the "massacre" of domestic protesters who took to the streets prior to the outbreak of war. Farhadi emphasized that no justification exists for taking innocent lives, whether through war, execution, or suppression of dissent. The article contextualizes his remarks within an ongoing conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance that began in February 2026, alongside severe internal unrest. While the Iranian government attributes protest violence to foreign-backed terrorism, human rights organizations estimate that security forces have killed thousands of demonstrators. Despite the gravity of his political statements, Farhadi's new film received mixed to negative reviews from critics at the festival.
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