Asghar Farhadi's "The Past" has been selected to represent Iran in the Academy Awards.
PressTV, the Iranian international news network, reported on Sunday, Sept. 29 that Iran's Farabi Cinema Foundation chose Farhadi's feature, which is set in Paris. The film beat out a shortlist of 12 films, which included Parvis Shabazi's "Trapped."
The Fars news agency criticized the decision, stating that the film had nothing to with Iranian culture. The news agency said, "There is nothing Iranian in this film apart from a character who could have come from any other country."
"The Past" tells the story of an Iranian man who deserts his French wife and two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts a new relationship and her husband must confront his wife's request for a divorce.
"The Past" made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival where it took home the Best Actress award. The movie also competed for the Palme D'Or but lost to "Blue is the Warmest Color."
"The Past" is one of the few foreign film submissions that will be able to compete for more categories as it will be released on Dec. 20. Bejo is already garnering Oscar buzz for her performance and is sure to receive various accolades, especially after the film was submitted.
Last year Marion Cotillard was a huge contender for "Rust and Bone," but was ultimately snubbed because her film was not submitted by France. Instead, Emmanuele Riva garnered the nomination for "Amour," which was the Best Foreign Film winner from Austria.
Farhadi's previous film, 2011's "A Separation," won the Oscar for Iran and Farhadi was nominated for best original screenplay. The country has only been nominated once before "A Separation."
The Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 16.
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