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Iranians Celebrate Second Oscars Win for Farhadi

In this October 10. 2016 photo, iranian director Asghar Farhadi poses for a photo during the premiere of his movie "The Salesman" in Paris. The film earned the Academy Award for best foreign film this past Sunday, February 26, 2017. Farhadi did not attend the ceremony in protest of Donald Trump’s muslim ban.

TEHRAN, Iran – Hundreds of Iranians have gathered at Tehran Cinema Museum to celebrate Asghar Farhadi’s Academy Awards win for best foreign language film.

The Friday gathering congratulated Farhadi and his film crew on “The Salesman” with a standing ovation.

In his short speech, Farhadi said the film was not a pre-planned project but, he added, “I decided to make the film by chance and I am happy that I made the decision.”

He said his Oscars win was not a merely personal success, but also an award for those who contributed to his achievements.

Anousheh Ansari accepts the Oscar to best foreign film for “The Salesman” on behalf of Asghar Farhadi this past Sunday, February 26, 2017 during the Academy Awards in the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Photo: Invision/Chris Pizzello, via AP 

This was Farhadi second Oscar for best foreign language film. He secured Iran’s first in 2012 with “A Separation.”

Farhadi boycotted this year’s ceremony to protest President Trump’s now-suspended travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries including Iran.