Iranian Director Farhadi Premieres Latest Film In Cannes

Asghar Farhadi

Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi has premiered his latest movie at the world's biggest film festival in the French Riviera.

Farhadi drew enthusiastic applause after the screening at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

"Le Passe" (The Past), shot in Paris in French, is Farhadi's first film to be shot outside Iran.

The drama stars Iranian actor Ali Mosaffa as a man who returns from Tehran to Paris to finalize a divorce with his wife, played by French actress Berenice Bejo.

Twenty films from 10 countries will be competing at Cannes for the main Palme D'Or award, to be presented on May 26.

Farhadi's previous film, "A Separation," won an Oscar for best foreign language film last year, becoming the first Iranian film to win the award.

Based on reporting by dpa, AFP, and Reuters