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All eyes on Iranian cinema: Nader & Simin

Iranian cinema is about to get a whole lot more interesting with Asghar Farhadi’s “Nader & Simin: A separation,” which in theory should be shown here in limited release in about two months. Shot in semi-clandestinity in Tehran, "Nader & Simin" provides us with an unforgiving gaze unto a couple on the verge of separation. Nader's father is found to have Alzheimer’s disease and a ... more >

Triumph in Berlin

Iranian moviemaker gets top honor

Asghar Farhadi’s “Nader and Simin” was the big winner at this year’s Berlin Film Festival, which announced its awards Saturday evening, a day prior to the end of the fest. Farhadi won the Silver Bear for best director two years ago for his film “About Elly.” “Nader and Simin” was widely seen as a shoo-in for the Golden Bear, both for its outstanding quality in a year of insipid competition fare ... more >

Coriolanus and Nader & Simin

From the Berlin Film Festival

As the Berlin Film Festival creeps film-by-film to its end this coming Sunday the amount of mediocre fare in the main competition section is baffling. However, solace was at hand with Ralph Fiennes’ worthy “Coriolanus,” and Asghar Farhadi masterful "Nader and Simin: A Separation," which arrived on days five and six, respectively. I’ll start with the less impressive of the two. A decade ... more >