Cannes: 'The Past' Director Asghar Farhadi on Censorship in Iran, Future Projects

Asghar Farhadi made it into the Academy Awards record books when he won the best foreign-language honor for A Separation last year, becoming the first Iranian honoree. The 41-year-old this year created more buzz with his Cannes competition entry The Past, which on Sunday won Berenice Bejo the award for best actress at the 66th annual film festival. Farhadi talked to The Hollywood Reporter's international business editor Georg Szalai about censorship in Iran, possible future projects, awards season hopes and Iran's condemnation of Oscar winner Argo.

THR: You became the first Iranian filmmaker to win an Oscar for A Separation last year. How did you feel about that?

Farhadi: It was very pleasant. It was a great experience, because as an Iranian director, I knew that would bring a lot of joy to my people, the Iranian audience, that it would mean a lot to them. Even now, I think that the joy it gave to my people makes it one of the greatest memories of my career and life. Also, the film had the same kind of reaction from the audiences in Iran, the U.S. and all over the world. That also had a very specific meaning for me. That was very comforting.

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THR: Your new film The Past, which was part of the Cannes competition lineup, is already drawing buzz. Any Oscar hopes?

Farhadi: I try to avoid thinking about it. Not that it is not important. I think every human being in the world appreciates being encouraged and acknowledged. But I try not to have any expectations. So, if it happens, it's for the best. And if it doesn't, I am not losing anything.

THR: You made The Past in France and with a well-known star, Berenice Bejo. Can we expect to see you working with other international stars or maybe even doing a Hollywood film in the future?

Farhadi: I always try not to answer this question too clearly, because you are never sure. But I must tell you that there is a project that is a very important project with important stars and important actors that I would like to do, but I don't know yet if it is going to be my next film or the one after. I am still thinking about it and I am still thinking about the story to write and tell. This is the first step of it.

THR: Anything you can tell us about the stories of the next two films you just mentioned you hope to do?

Farhadi: All I can say is that it will be the continuation of the path that has been mine until now. I won't go in any different directions. But if you don't mind, I won't say more, so that the way you find out about it is still interesting.

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Cannes: 'The Past' Director Asghar Farhadi on Censorship in Iran, Future Projects