Farhadi: My films influenced by Hitchcock, Neorealism

Internationally acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi says Neorealism and film director Alfred Hitchcock are notable influences on his works.

In a recent interview conducted by an Italian paper with Farhadi, the Academy Award winning director highlighted the importance of Italian Neorealism and Hitchcock as playing a key part in the making of his films.

“Without an iota of doubt, narratives of blockbuster films reflect Hitchcock's style, but I and many other Iranian filmmakers are really influenced by Neorealism. I think the reason for this is Iran-Italy commonalities in terms of historical and social aspects during the years,” he said.

Farhadi has most recently grabbed the Best Foreign-Language Film award from the US National Society of Film Critics for his latest film, ‘The Salesman’.

Being Iran’s submission to the 89th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, the film has already won double awards for Best Screenplay and Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival this year.

‘The Salesman’ 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.

Farhdi's most famous movie, ‘A Separation’, grabbed global recognition as becoming the first Iranian movie to win an Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film.

Italian neorealism is a film movement characterized by stories using the poor and the working class. The films in this genre are filmed on location, frequently using non-professional actors.

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was an English film director and producer, oftentimes referred to as ‘The Master of Suspense’. He pioneered many elements of the suspense and psychological thriller genres.

AI/AG