Abbas Kiarostami Quotes

A collection of quotes by Abbas Kiarostami.

Abbas Kiarostami (1940-2016) was an acclaimed Iranian filmmaker, screenwriter, photographer, and poet. He was born in Tehran and developed a passion for art at a young age. After studying painting and graphic design, Kiarostami began working as a filmmaker in the 1970s, quickly gaining recognition for his unique storytelling style and exploration of social and philosophical themes.

Kiarostami's films often depicted the everyday lives of ordinary people, offering profound insight into the complexities of human relationships and existential questions. He became a prominent figure in the Iranian New Wave movement and gained international acclaim for his works, receiving numerous awards at prestigious film festivals worldwide.

Some of Kiarostami's notable films include "Where Is the Friend's Home?" (1987), "Close-Up" (1990), and "Taste of Cherry" (1997), which won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. His films were praised for their minimalist aesthetic, poetic storytelling, and profound social commentaries.

Besides his achievements in filmmaking, Kiarostami was also dedicated to sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring filmmakers. He taught workshops and masterclasses around the world, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and poetic imagery in cinema. Kiarostami's contributions to the world of cinema continue to inspire and influence filmmakers globally, leaving a significant mark on the history of Iranian and international filmmaking.

I would be too selfish if I said everyone should see my movi

I would be too selfish if I said everyone should see my movies more than once. To say that would mean I'm just marketing my work!

Abbas Kiarostami

Movies

All the different nations in the world, despite their differ

All the different nations in the world, despite their differences of appearance and religion and language and way of life, still have one thing in common, and that is what's inside of all of us. If we X-rayed the insides of different human beings, we wouldn't be able to tell from those X-rays what the person's language or background or race is.

Abbas Kiarostami

Religion

In the total darkness, poetry is still there, and it is ther

In the total darkness, poetry is still there, and it is there for you.

Abbas Kiarostami

Poetry

Religion works on some people but not on everyone, because i

Religion works on some people but not on everyone, because it says, 'Stop thinking and accept what I tell you.' That's not valid for people who want to think and reflect.

Abbas Kiarostami

Religion

Poetry always runs away from you - it's very difficult to gr

Poetry always runs away from you - it's very difficult to grasp it, and every time you read it, depending on your conditions, you will have a different grasp of it. Whereas with a novel, once you have read it, you have grasped it.

Abbas Kiarostami

Poetry

I would say that no film is apolitical. There are politics i

I would say that no film is apolitical. There are politics in all films. Any film that is anchored in a society, any film that deals with humanity is necessarily political.

Abbas Kiarostami

Politics

Some movies bring out the creativity in you. Every single au

Some movies bring out the creativity in you. Every single audience member can become creative in the face of a particular movie. If you happen to like my films, it's because my films provide a bed for you on which you can find your creativity. The Hollywood movies do not provide that for you.

Abbas Kiarostami

Movies