Abbas Kiarostami

Abbas Kiarostami (1940-2016) was an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and photographer known for his innovative and poetic approach to cinema. He is considered one of the most influential filmmakers of his time, with a career spanning over four decades. Kiarostami's films are characterized by their minimalist style, use of non-professional actors, and focus on the human condition. His work often blurs the lines between fiction and reality, challenging traditional narrative structures.

Kiarostami's breakthrough came with the film Where is the Friend's Home? (1987), which won the Bronze Leopard at the Locarno Film Festival. This film was the first in the Koker trilogy, which also includes Life, and Nothing More... (1992) and Through the Olive Trees (1994). These films, set in the aftermath of the 1990 earthquake in northern Iran, explore themes of life, death, and resilience.

In 1997, Kiarostami gained international acclaim with Taste of Cherry, which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The film tells the story of a man contemplating suicide and searching for someone to bury him after his death. Kiarostami's other notable works include The Wind Will Carry Us (1999), Ten (2002), and Certified Copy (2010), which marked his first film shot outside of Iran, starring Juliette Binoche.

Kiarostami also made significant contributions to the field of photography and visual art, with his work being exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. His photographic series include Snow White (1978-2004) and Roads and Rain (2006). In addition to his film and photographic work, Kiarostami wrote poetry and contributed to the development of Iranian cinema through his involvement with the Kanoon (Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults).

Throughout his career, Kiarostami received numerous awards and honors, including the Akira Kurosawa Award for lifetime achievement in directing at the San Francisco International Film Festival. His influence on contemporary cinema is evident in the work of filmmakers such as Michael Haneke, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and Jafar Panahi, who was his former assistant. Kiarostami's legacy continues to inspire and shape the landscape of world cinema.