RIP Abbas Kiarostami: The Film World Mourns The Loss Of An Icon
Zack Sharf
“Film begins with D.W. Griffith and ends with Abbas Kiarostami” – Jean Luc Godard
The film world is in mourning today as the news of Abbas Kiarostami’s passing continues to send shockwaves through the industry. The Iranian filmmaker earned the Palme d’Or in 1997 for “Taste of Cherry,” and his acclaimed filmography includes titles like “Close-Up” and “Certified Copy,” the latter of which was recently included on our list of the best films of the 21st century.
While numerous tributes are certainly going to begin appearing on the Internet over the next couple days, the film world instantly began reflecting on Kiarostami’s iconic career via Twitter. We’ve rounded up some of the most heartwarming remembrances below from filmmakers and film writers, and we’ll continue to update as more of the community remembers the legendary director.
RIP the great Abbas Kiarostami
CLOSE-UP is unlike any other film. An artistic & real-life act of compassion that will open ur eyes & heart
— Jay Duplass (@jayduplass) July 4, 2016
Deeply saddened by the passing of Abbas Kiarostami, director of Close-Up, among my very favorite films. https://t.co/4SqAIausMc
— Joshua Oppenheimer (@JoshuaOppenheim) July 4, 2016
Devastated by passing of Abbas Kiarostami, a truly great artist and dear friend. Our last discussion. RIP pic.twitter.com/wufXDEeC61
— Geoff Andrew (@Geoff_Andrew) July 4, 2016
Kiarostami’s idea that the audience “completed” his work has stayed with me as much as his films. Great films make us active participants.
— Scott Tobias (@scott_tobias) July 4, 2016
gutted to hear that Abbas Kiarostami died. CLOSE-UP is the best film ever made, but not his only one to change my life forever & completely.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) July 4, 2016
All hail Abbas Kiarostami: “My way of expression is full of complications & mystery because that’s my perception of life.”
— Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) July 4, 2016
RIP Abbas Kiarostami. Thank you, sir, for having helped us to see the world anew with each new film. pic.twitter.com/TL879aFjpz
— Ed Gonzalez (@certified_ed) July 4, 2016
Abbas Kiarostami was a miracle-worker disguised as a close-up magician. The tricks were intimate, the magic real. See everything he’s made.
— Robbie Collin (@robbiereviews) July 4, 2016
RIP Abbas Kiarostami, a finder of beautiful things in a world that hides them well. pic.twitter.com/h3MO3CQok8
— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) July 4, 2016
— Robert Greene (@prewarcinema) July 4, 2016
All hail Abbas Kiarostami: “My way of expression is full of complications & mystery because that’s my perception of life.”
— Mark Olsen (@IndieFocus) July 4, 2016
Oh no. Kiarostami. RIP. A monumental loss to cinema. Possibly the most important filmmaker of the past several decades.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) July 4, 2016
Kiarostami was a master storyteller. He gave a voice to our private inner worlds; understood the fundamentals of being a flawed human. RIP..
— Tomris Laffly (@TomiLaffly) July 4, 2016
Abbas Kiarostami is and will always be one of the most important directors to my cinephilia. He opened up whole new worlds. RIP
— Jake Cole (@notjustmovies) July 4, 2016
