Cannes Film Festival 2026: Parallel Stories by Asghar Farhadi Sparks Political Questions
Asghar Farhadi at the Press Conference: Politics, Violence, and Carefully Measured Words
At the official press conference, Asghar Farhadi was repeatedly questioned about political developments in Iran and the responsibilities of artists in times of crisis.
A journalist from Iran International directly raised questions about the political situation and the moral duties of filmmakers. Farhadi responded cautiously, avoiding direct political alignment but addressing human suffering in general terms.
He referenced two painful recent events:
- A massacre in early 1404 (Iranian calendar reference)
- Civilian deaths in subsequent bombings
Without assigning political blame in detail, Farhadi emphasized a universal ethical stance:
“From any point of view, killing and murdering people is unacceptable to me.”
He further stressed that empathy must not be selective:
Showing compassion for one group of victims should not mean denying compassion for others.
This neutral yet emotionally grounded position reflects Farhadi’s long-standing cinematic approach: moral complexity, human ambiguity, and avoidance of ideological absolutism.
May 15, 2026 | 3:10 pm
