Iranians proud over US award win for 'A Separation'

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Iranians proud over US award win for 'A Separation'

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Iranians reacted with pride on Monday after an Iranian film, A Separation, won a major US prize.

16 January,2012 08:14 pm

Its victory at Hollywoods Golden Globes, where director Asghar Farhadi picked up the award for best foreign-language movie from pop star Madonna late Sunday, lit up Iranians messages on online social networks.This award is the cause of pride for all Iranians all over the world, said one Facebook user, Iman, 29.OMG... I still cant believe that Farhadi got the Globe from Madonna Now I really envy him. Congratulations to everyone said another, Mehrdad, 33.Few Iranian media carried reports on the win on Monday, mainly because the Golden Globes took place well after newspaper deadlines.A Separation is Irans official entry for the Oscars next month, where another trophy -- already tipped by many of the worlds leading film critics -- would be a cultural coup for this country at a time it is facing an intense Western campaign to isolate it politically.Irans government initially slapped a ban on the movie as it was being made because Farhadi voiced support for fellow filmmakers labelled by authorities as anti-regime.But, following an apology from Farhadi that permitted A Separation to be completed, Tehran has come to embrace the movie, strengthening support for it as it picked up award after award in international festivals.The film recounts the story of a couple estranged because of differences over whether to leave Iran, who become embroiled in a nasty dispute with a domestic worker. The tale builds smartly to become an engrossing look at the societal pressures ensnaring all the protagonists as they navigate a minefield of lies.A Separation is seen to be a frontrunner for the best foreign-language Oscar at the US Academy Awards on February 26, with critics raving about its humanity and its sharp portrayal of the Iran that exists beyond the grim news headlines. –AFP