Londoners watch ‘The Salesman’

Thousands of people have watched Iranian movie ‘The Salesman’ at the Trafalgar Square in London.

London citizens gathered together in Trafalgar Square in London to watch Iran’s Oscar-winning drama ‘The Salesman’ on Sunday.

Directed by Asghar Farhadi, the movie was screened in the UK capital, a few hours before the Oscars ceremonies as Farhadi decided not to attend the Academy awards.

The move was organized by London mayor as a protest against the US President Donald Trump's visa ban, which led Farhadi to boycott the Oscars.

Sadiq Khan has organized the screening, alongside actor Lily Cole, producer Kate Wilson and filmmaker Mark Donne.

The decision to hold the screening was made after actors and filmmakers, including Julie Christie, Kevin Macdonald, Keira Knightley, Ridley Scott and Terry Gilliam, wrote to the Duke of Westminster to ask for permission to hold it in front of the US embassy in London.

The film tells the story of a young couple named Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) who move into a new flat in the center of Tehran. But an incident linked to the previous tenant dramatically changes their life.

Starring Taraneh Alidoosti and Shahab Hosseini, it is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars.

Hosseini won best actor at Cannes last year. The film also won best screenplay at Cannes.

Farhadi, who won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar for ‘A Separation’ in 2012 said he would not attend this year’s ceremony even if he were offered special dispensation, in solidarity with those who had been banned.

‘The Salesman’ won the Best Foreign Language Film at Oscars last night.

FM/HY