"A Separation" nomination for Oscar depends on U.S. political climate: Iranian Official

Source: Tehran Times

The Iranian deputy culture minister for cinematic affairs said that "Nader and Simin, a Separation" is a possible Oscar nominee in the Best Foreign Language Films category, but everything would depend on the U.S. political climate at the time the Academy decides on nominations for this category.

The Year's Best Movie: It's From Iran- Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal "A Separation": You may not have heard of it, because it doesn't come out until Dec. 30. After seeing Asghar Farhadi's film at Telluride, I called it a world-class masterpiece...

"'Nader and Simin, a Separation' has all the potential and capacity for being nominated for an Oscar," Javad Shamaqdari told reporters during a visit to Tehran's Mellat Cinematic Complex on Saturday.

"However, the final crucial factor will be the U.S. policies, which are planned to give what kind of signals to Iran at that time," he added.

"If they plan to continue their enmity, they will never choose 'Nader and Simin, a Separation'," Shamaqdari noted.

A portrayal of the break-up of a marriage, "Nader and Simin, a Separation" by director Asghar Farhadi is Iran's submission to the Annual Academy Awards 2012.

Shamaqdari is the second Iranian official who has made comments about "A Separation" in the Oscar race over the past few days.

Asked about the film's achievements in international events over the past few weeks, Minister Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini said, "We should just wait to see what the Academy panel will do about the film."

A number of Iranian critics believe that there was no general consensus among Iranian cultural officials about submitting "A Separation" to the Academy Awards.

The film's official opponents have said that it portrays Iran as a chaotic society of liars.