Asghar Farhadi (May 7, 1972) is a film director and screenwriter. He earned his bachelor’s degree in dramatic literature from the University of Tehran and pursued a master’s degree in stage direction at Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran. He has won multiple awards for his films, including two Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film for Judāʾī-yi Nādir az Sīmīn (A Separation, 2011) and Furūshandah (The Salesman, 2016). He is the only Iranian filmmaker who has ever won an Academy Award (Oscar). He also received the Legion of Honor (Ordre de la Légion d’honneur) from the French government and secured a spot on the Time 100: The most influential people 2012. His latest film, Qahramān (A Hero), won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2021.

Farhadi has risen to fame for his exploration of human experience, skillfully capturing the intricate dynamics of internal family struggles within a polarized society. He provides a nuanced portrayal of Iran’s class, gender, and religious divisions, sparking moral conflicts that compel characters to reflect on their choices. Farhadi’s realistic style and narrative gaps depict Iran’s inflexible class system and the complexities of everyday life.