ABBAS KIAROSTAMI - Writer & Director

Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami is one of world cinema’s foremost directors, whose body of work includes ‘Through the Olive Trees’ and ‘Ten’. Originally withheld from the 1997 Cannes Film Festival by the Iranian authorities, TASTE OF CHERRY eventually won the prestigious Palme d’Or, sealing Kiarostami’s inter- national reputation.

Born in Tehran in 1940, where he later attended the University Art College. In 1969, he founded the Cinema Department at the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children & Young Adults (Kanun). This became one of Iran's most prestigious studios where films were made by directors such as A. Naderi, B.Beyzaï, D. Mehrjui, E. Forozesh, Dj Panahi, and Sobrah Sh.Saless. His first film, in 1970, was the short 'The Bread and Alley'. He went on to make his first first feature 'The Traveler' in 1974. Since then, he has made films continuously. In 1992 he was awarded the Rossellini Prize in Cannes and the 'Fellini' medal in 1997 by the UNESCO. In 1997 he also received the Palme d'Or at Cannes for TASTE OF CHERRY, and in 1999 the Jury Grand Prize at the Venice Festival for 'The Wind Will Carry Us'. His first collection of poems, 'Walking with the Wind', was published in 2002 by Harvard Uni- versity Press. The first video, 'Sleepers', has been made for the Biennale di Venezia 2001. In January 2003, he has been appointed 'Officier des Arts et Lettres' (for outstanding achieve- ments in the arts) by France's Culture Secretary, the year he also directed his first play, 'Ta'ziyé', for the Teatro di Roma.

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