TEHRAN -- Iranian Deputy Culture Minister for Cinematic Affairs Javad Shamaqdari advised Iranian cineastes not to concern themselves about international awards such as Oscars.

Speaking at his first press conference held here on Tuesday, Shamaqdari referred to the political reasons lying behind the awards and said, “No one doubts that some of these awards bear non-cultural intention and therefore they have no artistic value.
“Some of these awards posses artistic values and have positively influenced Iran’s cinema. The award (filmmaker) Asghar Farhadi received in Berlin for his ‘About Elly’ was an authentic one for Iran’s cinema,” he remarked.
Farhadi won a Silver Bear for the best director for “About Elly” at the 59th Berlin film festival.
He further stated, “Iran’s cinema has had no chance to win an Oscar over the past years and this shows the political view of the American organizers of the Academy Awards follows the policies of the American government.”
“Despite this, Iran has submitted one representative every year to the Annual Academy Awards and participates in international festivals. However, I believe Iranian cineastes should not look to international awards. Rather, it is better for them to focus instead on attracting more domestic viewers,” he mentioned.
“About Elly” is representing Iranian cinema in the category of Best Foreign Language Film at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards in 2010.