Farhadi’s Parallel Tales Delights Cannes Crowd with 5.5-Minute Ovation

At Cannes, Asghar Farhadi returned with Parallel Tales, a French-language drama led by Isabelle Huppert and a star-studded cast, about a writer who spies on her neighbors to fuel a new novel. The film, which also features Adam Bessa, Catherine Deneuve, Virginie Efira, Vincent Cassel and others, earned a 5.5-minute standing ovation as Farhadi blew kisses to the crowd and embraced his ensemble. Competing for the Palme d’Or, the festival appearance marks Farhadi’s continued Cannes run, while he has publicly spoken on Iran’s hijab mandates and ongoing conflict.