208 Quotes by Abbas Kiarostami

  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    Religion works on some people but not on everyone, because it says, 'Stop thinking and accept what I tell you.' That's not valid for people who want to think and reflect.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    Not that I ever felt the necessity of proving that all human beings suffer the same way, feel joy the same way, but it happened on my way - when I get close to these people, just by the simple intervention of translation I can actually reach them and ask them something, and their reaction is as I expected. I see that the relationship goes so smoothly, and I realize that cultural languages and specificities are nothing but simple obstacles that you can easily overcome. It's obvious that human beings are the same wherever they are.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    My films have been progressing towards a certain kind of minimalism, even though it was never intended. Elements which can be eliminated have been eliminated.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    When I find the character, I try to spend time with them and get to know them very well. Therefore my notes are not from the character that I had in my mind before, but are instead based on the people I've met in real life.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    I really think that I don't mind people sleeping during my films, because I know that some very good films might prepare you for sleeping or falling asleep or snoozing. It's not to be taken badly at all.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    I didn't just see myself as a film director here [in Life And Nothing More], but also as an observer of people who had been condemned to death.

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  • Author Abbas Kiarostami
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    I spend a lot of time doing carpentry. Sometimes there is nothing that gives me the contentment that sawing a piece of wood does.

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