Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, a two-time Oscar winner for Best International Feature (“A Separation,” 2011; “The Salesman,” 2016) and a two-time Cannes Film Festival laureate (“The Salesman,” “A Hero,” 2021), premiered his latest work, “Parallel Tales,” at Cannes’ Grand Théâtre Lumière on Thursday evening.
The French-language drama, competing at this year’s festival, received a five-minute standing ovation. While respectable, this reception is considered polite rather than notably enthusiastic by Cannes standards.
Co-adapted by Farhadi and his brother Saeed from a chapter of Krzysztof Kieślowski’s 1989-1990 Polish television series “Dekalog,” “Parallel Tales” explores themes of voyeurism and the often ambiguous boundary between fantasy and reality. The film features an acclaimed French ensemble cast, including Isabelle Huppert, Virginia Efira, Vincent Cassel, and Catherine Deneuve in a minor role, all delivering strong performances.
However, critical reception, such as that from The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic David Rooney, suggests the film’s two-hour-twenty-minute runtime leads to a somewhat meandering and arduous experience. This was reflected in the audience’s reaction, with many appearing drained as credits rolled around 11 p.m. local time.
While “Parallel Tales” premiered in French cinemas simultaneously with its Cannes debut, it is currently still seeking U.S. distribution.
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