Reactions to the passing of Abbas Kiarostami

The passing of renowned director Abbas Kiarostami has been met with widespread reactions from Iranian and non-Iranian artists, politicians, and cultural and social figures.

Below are some of the reactions that have been published on social media or through news media.

Shahab Hosseini, actor :
I love... disproportionately.
I live… carefree.
It's been a while.

Habib Rezaei, actor : “Have you found your friend’s house, Master?…Oh my. The earthquake has now destroyed our hearts… Your place will remain strangely empty… Abbas Kiarostami’s story of an eternal journey gone unaccompanied… A scene from our cinema turns black forever…”

Martin Scorsese, American director : “I was deeply moved and touched to hear the news of Abbas Kiarostami’s passing. He was one of those rare artists with a special understanding of the world, or as Jean Renoir said: ‘Reality is always magical.’”

Iranian film director Mohsen Makhmalbaf told the BBC: “Abbas Kiarostami was a philosopher of life and death did not come to him.”

“He made Iranian cinema famous around the world.”

Behrouz Vosoughi, Iranian film actor : “Nazanin Kiarostami… I was very sorry, I really was shocked. Because Abbas Kiarostami is actually one of the top 10 directors in cinema.”

Mr. Vossoghi wrote on his Instagram: “I have known Abbas since the time of Qaisar, when he was making the credits for Qaisar, and then we became friends. When he came to America, we met a few times. I had very good moments with him. I will always and never forget the kindness he showed me at the San Francisco Film Festival. He presented me with his Kurosawa Award and said, ‘I am giving this to Behrouz Vossoghi for the work he did in Iran and for the work he did not do.’”

French President's reaction

The Elysee Palace issued a statement saying: “Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami left a profound impact on the history of cinema. He was a filmmaker, poet, and photographer whose works placed poetry alongside the small things of life, giving them a special and universal dimension. Abbas Kiarostami, winner of the Palme d’Or in 1997, had a deep artistic and friendly relationship with our country. The French President honors the memory of this great Iranian artist whose cinema had a universal language and thinking.”

Former Iranian President Khatami expressed condolences over Kiarostami's passing, calling his death "a heavy loss for Iran's fine art."

Hassan Rouhani's reaction

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's Twitter account: Abbas #Kiarostami's different and profound view of life and his call for peace and friendship will be a lasting achievement in the seventh art.

Source: BBC