At the Rio Film Festival, acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi discussed Hollywood’s approach to depicting non-American societies during a conversation about his film “Parallel Tales.” Farhadi addressed the Academy Award-winning film “Argo,” which depicted events during the U.S. hostage crisis in Iran, characterizing it as a typical “Hollywood thing” that portrays Iran negatively. He contended that such productions reflect a broader pattern in American cinema where filmmakers adopt a hierarchical worldview toward other nations.
Farhadi articulated his critique of what he termed the condescending attitude underlying these productions. He questioned the rationale behind narratives in which American protagonists rescue people from other countries, arguing that such stories underestimate the capacity of foreign populations to manage their own circumstances. The director also contested broader American claims about political and social superiority, asserting that democratic systems exist globally rather than being exclusively American attributes.
Regarding how he incorporates societal themes in his own work, Farhadi explained that depicting human relationships inevitably involves political dimensions, though he avoids direct political messaging. He emphasized cinema’s potential to foster empathy by highlighting universal human experiences across cultures. The director referenced Abbas Kiarostami’s documentary work as an example of how filmmaking can reveal political dimensions through everyday scenes without explicit commentary.
Farhadi stressed the limitations of media representations in shaping international perceptions. He noted that mainstream media coverage often reduces complex societies to oversimplified narratives, which can predispose audiences to accept negative characterizations. Reflecting on his own creative process, he revealed that “Parallel Tales” was originally planned for production in the United States but he ultimately decided to shoot in his native language of Farsi, feeling unable to establish creative connection with the American setting despite extensive preparation there.
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