Farhadi Condemns Politicians and Media for Amplifying 'Difference' and 'Hate' in Sarajevo Speech

Accepting the honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award on 20 August 2026, two-time Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi condemned politicians and media for focusing on "difference" and "hate," arguing that mothers everywhere share the same emotions toward their children. Farhadi, whose A Separation earned $25 million worldwide, was also the subject of a career retrospective at the festival. (Variety)