Academy: It’s ‘Troubling’ Oscar-Nominated Director May Be Banned From Entering the US to Attend Ceremony
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi — whose film “The Salesman” is nominated for an Academy Award — may not be able to attend the awards ceremony in February in Los Angeles due to President Donald Trump‘s travel ban from seven predominantly Muslim countries.
“It is extremely troubling,” a spokesperson for The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said in a statement Saturday. “The Academy celebrates achievement in the art of filmmaking, which seeks to transcend borders and speak to audiences around the world, regardless of national, ethnic, or religious differences.”
The statement continues, “As supporters of filmmakers — and the human rights of all people — around the globe, we find it extremely troubling that Asghar Farhadi, the director of the Oscar-winning film from Iran, ‘A Separation,’ along with the cast and crew of this year’s Oscar-nominated film ‘The Salesman,’ could be barred from entering the country because of their religion or country of origin.”
Trump’s move on Friday called for the immediate suspension of immigration from seven countries with alleged ties to terror, including Iran. The ban is for 90 days and the president has said it’s part of a vetting plan to prevent “radical Islamic terrorists” from reaching American soil.
“The Salesman” stars Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti…
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