The movie, which is the only Iranian production in this years Cannes competition lineup, will be screened just a day before the closing of the event after almost all other 20 competitors are shown.
Before leaving for Cannes, Farhadi talked about his anticipation on the audiences reaction to his work, its release in Iran and abroad and his next project, ISNA reported.
The Salesman was a late addition to this years competition because Farhadi did not finish filming until late February. He submitted it to the event only after the initial lineup had been announced in mid-April.
Now it is one of the most-anticipated among the 21 films vying for the Palme dOr (Golden Palm) along with highly potentials such as Steven Spielbergs The BFG, Ken Loachs Moi, Daniel Blake, Pedro Almodovars Julieta and Jim Jarmuschs Paterson.
Prominent actors Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti act in the film as a couple who are forced to move out of their apartment, only to find conflict with the previous tenant of their new home.
Farhadi is a great storyteller, so similar to his previous works, there is multi level narrative with moral, social and religious dimensions.
He presumes The Salesman, similar to his previous films, will have a wide audience at home and abroad. Based on the feedback from the distributors and the limited showings, the film seems to appeal to the viewers, Farhadi noted.
Release in Iran
On its release time in Iran, he said the film was set for screening simultaneously in Iran and Europe; however as the French release is set for November and he may not be in Iran at that time, he would rather it be shown in the country sooner, like midsummer.
I will be mostly travelling out of Iran from September to work on my next project. As I like to be in Iran while my movie is screened, I prefer it be released sooner here than in France, he said.
A joint production of Iran and France, the film has been financed by Farhadi and the French company Memento Films, which also produced his previous film The Past and distributed his other movies as well.
The American distributor of the work will be decided soon, the director said. Sony Pictures Classic distributed Farhadis previous works The Past and A Separation in the US.
His next project (untitled for the moment) will be shot in Spain next spring. The movie will be produced by the famous Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar (whose Julietta competes in Cannes) and the Spanish Academy Award-winner actress Penelope Cruz will star in the cast.
Iran cinema won the Palme dOr once in 1997 when the celebrated filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami received the prize for Taste of Cherry.
By Financial Tribune
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