Abbas Kiarostami

Date of Birth: June 22, 1940

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: July 4, 2016

Biography

Abbas Kiarostami was an influential Iranian film director, screenwriter, photographer, and producer, whose work has gained international acclaim for its profound and poetic storytelling. Born in Tehran, Iran, Kiarostami studied at the University of Tehran, where he majored in painting and graphic design. He began his career in the late 1960s and early 1970s, working on commercials and short films before making his mark in feature films. Kiarostami is best known for his innovative and minimalist style, which often blurs the line between fiction and reality. His films frequently explore themes of human experience, nature, and the everyday lives of ordinary people. Some of his most celebrated works include “Close-Up” (1990), “Through the Olive Trees” (1994), “Taste of Cherry” (1997), and “The Wind Will Carry Us” (1999). “Taste of Cherry” won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. In addition to his filmmaking, Kiarostami was also a prolific photographer and poet, often blending his visual artistry with his literary talents. His work has had a lasting impact on both Iranian cinema and the broader world of film, earning him a place among the most respected auteurs in cinema history.

5 Interesting Facts about Abbas Kiarostami

1. Abbas Kiarostami was one of the few directors who remained in Iran after the 1979 Iranian Revolution and continued to make films that garnered international acclaim.

2. He won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 for his film “Taste of Cherry.”

3. Kiarostami was also an accomplished photographer, with his work exhibited in galleries around the world.

4. He was known for his minimalist style, often using non-professional actors and real locations to tell his stories.

5. Kiarostami was a poet, and his poetry often reflected the same themes of nature and human existence found in his films.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Abbas Kiarostami

1. “The best way to know life is to live many lives.”

2. “I prefer the films that put their audience to sleep in the theater. I think of them as kind, generous films.”

3. “In my opinion, a true dialogue is a dialogue that goes on even when the film is over.”

4. “The world is my workshop, and I believe that the most important thing is to be able to see.”

5. “We can never get close to the truth except through lying.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Abbas Kiarostami’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.

Children

Abbas Kiarostami had two sons, Ahmad Kiarostami and Bahman Kiarostami. Ahmad is involved in the technology and film industries, while Bahman is a documentary filmmaker.