Brief
Asghar Farhadi denounces Hollywood’s white‑savior narrative at Rio Film Festival
The Iranian director warned that Hollywood’s portrayals of foreign crises reinforce an ego‑driven “up‑and‑down” worldview.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Twice Oscar‑winning Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi used a press conference at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival on Oct. 3 to criticize the way Hollywood frames foreign stories, citing Ben Affleck’s 2012 film “Argo” as a prime example of a “white‑savior” myth.
What happened
Farhadi was in Rio to present his new movie “Parallel Tales.” When asked about “Argo” winning Best Picture a year after his own “A Separation” won Best International Film, he said he had watched the film when it was released and described it as a “Hollywood thing.” He noted that the movie depicts a Latino exfiltration specialist who pretends to be a Hollywood producer to rescue six Americans in Tehran, and that the film portrays Iran as “like you’re in hell.”
What the reports add
According to Variety, Farhadi argued that many American filmmakers view the world “from up to down,” questioning the mindset that “they’re up and we’re down.” He also said Americans often claim to have democracy, calling that claim “a lie.” The director recalled a recent trip to the United States, where he visited a San Francisco prison and met incarcerated men of diverse backgrounds, noting that “the real America was there.” He said the United States is rarely shown in that light abroad.
What was said
Farhadi told Variety, “The problem with these kinds of films in Hollywood … is that they look at the world from up to down.” He added, “Why do you feel you’re up? I don’t understand why they have this ego that they’re up.” He continued, “You don’t have democracy. It’s a lie.” Regarding the white‑savior trope, he asked, “Why does an American go to Cuba or Iran to save people? People understand they can save themselves. Who asked you to come and save us?”
How it came about
Farhadi’s remarks follow a broader conversation in the film world about representation. Earlier this month, Variety covered other filmmakers’ reflections on authenticity, such as Paul Rudd’s phone‑free set policy for the climate drama “A Statement” and Ameen Nayfeh’s shift to a family‑oriented film in the Middle East. Farhadi’s comments add to the ongoing debate about Hollywood’s role in shaping global perceptions of politics and culture.
Key facts
- Asghar Farhadi criticized the white‑savior narrative in Hollywood films, citing "Argo" as an example. (variety.com)
- Farhadi said Americans claim to have democracy but that "it's a lie". (variety.com)
- He questioned why American movies portray the United States as the sole savior of other nations. (variety.com)
- The comments were made at the Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival while promoting his film "Parallel Tales". (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “Asghar Farhadi Says Films Like ‘Argo’ Perpetuate American White Savior Myth: ‘Who Asked You To Come and Save Us?’”
