Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This interview explores Iranian filmmaker Ali Asgari’s artistic process and his engagement with censorship and everyday absurdities within Iran’s cultural bureaucracy. Focusing on Asgari’s new feature Divine Comedy (2025)—a satirical drama about a censored director who secretly screens his banned film—the conversation situates the work within the long tradition of Iranian cinema turning restriction into creative force. The piece also reflects on the global reception of Asgari’s recent films, including Terrestrial Verses (2023), and highlights the international discourse around Iranian filmmaking, such as Martin Scorsese’s remarks on its humanist mission. Drawing from a one-hour discussion conducted between New York and Tehran, this condensed Q&A offers insight into Asgari’s methods, challenges, and cinematic philosophy.
Author: Akarcesme, Ali
Institution: Kutztown University
Language: English
Topic: Cinema History and Criticism
Subfield: Visual Arts and Performing Arts
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220278397