Ali Asgari is a prominent Iranian cinema figure with more than 200 awards to his name. Two of his short films, More Than Two Hours (2013) and The Silence (2016), were nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Festival de Cannes. The Baby was featured in the short film competition at the Venice Film Festival in 2014. Ali's films focus on the precarious lives of individuals living on the margins of society in his native country, Iran. His debut film, “Disappearance”, was developed at the Cinéfondation Residency of the Festival de Cannes and had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in 2017. "Until Tomorrow," his second feature film, at the Berlinale in 2022. Ali is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
A film by Ali Asgari & Alireza Khatami
2023 - Iran - Drama
Terrestrial Verses follows everyday people from all walks of life as they navigate the cultural, religious, and institutional constraints imposed on them by various social authorities, from school teachers to bureaucrats. These stirring vignettes, humorous and affecting, capture the spirit and determination of people amidst adversity, offering a nuanced portrait of a complex society.
