Wikipedia

Ali Abbasi (director)

Ali Abbasi (Persian: علی عباسی, born 1981) is an Iranian-Danish filmmaker. He is known for his films Shelley (2016), Border (2018), Holy Spider (2022), and The Apprentice (2024). Abbasi also directed the last two episodes of the first season of the series The Last of Us. He has received various accolades, including an Un Certain Regard award, four Robert Awards, and a German Film Award, in addition to nominations for seven European Film Awards, a Goya Award, and two Guldbagge Awards.

Ali Abbasi
علی عباسی
Ali Abbasi, wearing a dark suit with bowtie and a white shirt, smiling and looking just right of camera
Abbasi in 2022
Born1981 (age 42–43)
Tehran, Iran
Alma mater
Occupations
  • Director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active2008–present

Early life

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Abbasi attended Tehran Polytechnic until 2002, when he emigrated to Sweden to study architecture at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.[1] After earning his bachelor of arts in 2007,[2] he enrolled at the National Film School of Denmark, earning a degree in 2011 with the short film M for Markus.[3]

Abbasi lives in Copenhagen and continues to hold an Iranian passport.[4][5]

Career

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2018: Border

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In 2018, Abbasi premiered his second film, Border. It won the Un Certain Regard award at the Cannes Film Festival, was selected as the Swedish entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.[6] Although the film didn't get a nomination in that category, it earned a nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.[7]

2022: Holy Spider

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His third feature film, Holy Spider, came out in 2022 and was a Persian-language co-production between Sweden, Denmark, France, and Germany. Based on the true story of Saeed Hanaei, a serial killer who targeted sex workers and killed sixteen women from 2000 to 2001 in Mashhad, Iran, the film depicts a fictional female journalist investigating a serial killer.

The film was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, where it premiered on 22 May 2022.[8] Zar Amir Ebrahimi, who starred in the film, won the festival's Best Actress Award. The film was selected as the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards,[9][10] and made the December shortlist.[11]

2024: The Apprentice

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Abbasi's latest film, The Apprentice, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.[12] Several distribution contracts are in place for the United States, the Middle East, Asia, South America, as well as Eastern and Western Europe.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Director Writer Notes Ref(s)
2008 Officer Relaxing After Duty Yes Yes Short film [13]
2010 In the Darkness Is the Light Yes Yes Short film [14]
2011 M for Markus Yes Yes Short film, also editor [15]
2016 Shelley Yes Yes [16]
2018 Border Yes Yes [17]
2022 Holy Spider Yes Yes Also co-producer [18]
2024 The Apprentice Yes No [19]

Television

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Year Title Episode/s Director Writer Notes Ref(s)
2023 The Last of Us "When We Are in Need", "Look for the Light" Yes No 2 episodes [20]

Critical reception

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Year Title Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic Ref(s)
2016 Shelley 92% 62 [21][22]
2018 Border 97% 75 [23][24]
2022 Holy Spider 84% 66 [25][26]
2023 The Last of Us "When We Are in Need" 96% 84 [27][28][29]
"Look for the Light" 89%
2024 The Apprentice 83% 64 [30][31]

Awards and nominations

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Name of award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee, and nomination result
Award Year Category Nominated Work Result Ref.
Bodil Awards 2017 Best Danish Film Shelley Nominated [32]
2019 Best Non-American Film Border Nominated [33]
2023 Best Danish Film Holy Spider Nominated [34]
Best Screenplay Won
Cannes Film Festival 2018 Un Certain Regard Border Won [35]
2022 Palme d'Or Holy Spider Nominated [18]
2024 Palme d'Or The Apprentice Nominated [36]
Chicago International Film Festival 2018 Gold Hugo Border Nominated [37]
Cork International Film Festival 2018 Spirit of the Festival Award Border Won [38]
Denver International Film Festival 2018 Krzysztof Kieslowski Award Border Nominated
European Film Awards 2018 Best Film Border Nominated [39]
Best Screenwriter Nominated
Best Director Nominated
2019 Lux Award Nominated [40]
2022 Best Film Holy Spider Nominated [41]
Best Screenwriter Nominated
Best Director Nominated
Fantastic Fest 2022 Best Director Holy Spider Won [42]
German Film Award 2023 Best Director Holy Spider Nominated [43]
Best Film in Bronze Won [44]
Goya Awards 2020 Best European Film Border Nominated [45]
Guldbagge Awards 2019 Best Director Border Nominated [46]
Best Screenplay Nominated
Jerusalem Film Festival 2018 Best International Film – Honorable Mention Border Won [47]
2022 Best International Film Holy Spider Nominated [48]
Los Angeles Film Festival 2018 Best World Fiction Film Border Won [49]
Munich Film Festival 2018 CineVision Award Border Nominated [50]
Norwegian International Film Festival 2018 Film Critics Award Border Won
Oslo Films from the South Festival 2022 Silver Mirror Award Holy Spider Nominated [51]
Palm Springs International Film Festival 2019 Directors to Watch Border Won [52]
Best Foreign Language Film Nominated
Robert Awards 2017 Best Original Screenplay Shelley Nominated [53]
2019 Best Non-American Film Won [54]
2023 Best Danish Film Holy Spider Won [55]
Best Director Won
Best Original Screenplay Won
San Sebastián Horror and Fantasy Film Festival 2018 Blogos de Oro for Best Feature Border Won
Seville European Film Festival 2022 Golden Giraldillo Holy Spider Nominated [56]
Stockholm Film Festival 2022 Bronze Horse Holy Spider Won [57]
Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 2022 DDA Spotlight Award Holy Spider Won [58]
Transilvania International Film Festival 2016 Transilvania Trophy Shelley Nominated [59]
Valladolid International Film Festival 2018 Golden Spike Border Nominated [60]

References

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  1. ^ Forsman, Elsa (2021). "Ali Abbasi". The Swedish Film Database (in Swedish). Swedish Film Institute. Retrieved 23 May 2022. Abbasi flyttade till Sverige för att studera arkitektur vid KTH i Stockholm
  2. ^ "Ali Abbasi • Director". Cineuropa – the best of European cinema. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin: Shelley" (PDF). Berlinale. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Director Ali Abbasi on how Cannes title 'Border' channels "the experience of being a minority"". Screen. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  5. ^ Kohn, Eric (1 September 2018). "Iranian Filmmaker Is Reportedly the First from His Country to Gain Exception to Trump Travel Ban — Telluride". IndieWire. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  6. ^ "Oscars: Sweden Selects Ali Abbasi's 'Border' as Foreign Language Entry". 28 August 2018.
  7. ^ "Oscars 2019: Winners in full". BBC News. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  8. ^ Ritman, Alex (17 May 2022). "Cannes: On the Hunt for an Iranian Serial Killer in Trailer for Ali Abbasi's Competition Entry 'Holy Spider' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  9. ^ Ntim, Zac (27 September 2022). "Oscars: Denmark Submits Ali Abbasi's Cannes-Winning Title 'Holy Spider' to International Feature Race". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  10. ^ Annika Pham (28 September 2022). "Ali Abbasi's Holy Spider selected as Danish Oscar entry". Nordisk Film & TV Fond. Retrieved 4 December 2022.
  11. ^ Giardina, Carolyn (21 December 2022). "Shortlists for 95th Academy Awards Unveiled". The Hollywood Reporter.
  12. ^ Tatiana Siegel, Elsa Keslassy, Matt Donnelly (31 May 2024). "'Controversial Donald Trump Movie 'The Apprentice' Made a Splash in Cannes. Is Hollywood Too Scared to Release It?'". variety.com. Variety.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ Officer Relaxing After Duty (S) (2008), retrieved 31 January 2023
  14. ^ "I mørket er lyset". www.dfi.dk. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  15. ^ "M for Markus". www.dfi.dk. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  16. ^ "Shelley". www.dfi.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Ali ABBASI – Festival de Cannes 2018". Festival de Cannes 2018. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2018.
  18. ^ a b Ritman, Alex (17 May 2022). "Cannes: on the Hunt for an Iranian Serial Killer in Trailer for Ali Abbasi's Competition Entry 'Holy Spider' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  19. ^ Grobar, Matt (29 November 2023). "'The Apprentice': Jeremy Strong and Maria Bakalova Join Sebastian Stan in Donald Trump Pic". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  20. ^ Petski, Denise (23 April 2021). "'The Last of Us': Jasmila Žbanić & Ali Abbasi to Direct HBO Series Based on Video Game". Deadline. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 24 April 2021.
  21. ^ Shelley, retrieved 31 January 2023
  22. ^ Shelley, retrieved 31 January 2023
  23. ^ Border, retrieved 31 January 2023
  24. ^ Border, retrieved 31 January 2023
  25. ^ Holy Spider, retrieved 31 January 2023
  26. ^ Holy Spider, retrieved 31 January 2023
  27. ^ The Last of Us, retrieved 13 February 2023
  28. ^ The Last of Us: Season 1, Episode 8, retrieved 6 March 2023
  29. ^ The Last of Us: Season 1, Episode 9, retrieved 13 March 2023
  30. ^ "The Apprentice | Rotten Tomatoes". rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  31. ^ "The Apprentice Reviews". metacritic.com. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  32. ^ "Bodilprisen 2017. Og de nominerede er… – Bodilprisen" (in Danish). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  33. ^ "Bodilprisen 2019 – og de nominerede er… – Bodilprisen" (in Danish). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  34. ^ "Bodilprisen 2023: Her er de nominerede – Bodilprisen" (in Danish). Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  35. ^ Lodge, Guy (18 May 2018). "Cannes: 'Border' Leads Un Certain Regard Award Winners". Variety.com. Retrieved 20 May 2018.
  36. ^ "Cannes Film Festival Competition Includes Coppola, Audiard, Cronenberg, Arnold, Lanthimos, Sorrentino & Abbasi's Trump Movie — Full List". Deadline Hollywood. 11 April 2024. Retrieved 11 April 2024.
  37. ^ Allen, Nick. "CIFF 2018: Preview of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival | Festivals & Awards | Roger Ebert". rogerebert.com. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  38. ^ McCallum, Christian (19 November 2018). "The 63rd Cork Film Festival Award Winners". Cork International Film Festival. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  39. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (10 November 2018). "European Film Awards Nominations: 'Cold War', 'Dogman', 'Border' Lead – Full List". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  40. ^ "EFA opens vote for People's Choice Award". Cineuropa – the best of european cinema. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  41. ^ Goodfellow, Melanie (8 November 2022). "'Close', 'Holy Spider' & 'Triangle of Sadness' Lead European Film Awards Nominations". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  42. ^ "Fantastic Fest 2022 Awards Winners List: The Menu, Piggy Take Honors". 27 September 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  43. ^ Roxborough, Scott (24 March 2023). "Oscar Winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front' Leads German Film Awards Nominations With 12". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 25 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  44. ^ "'The Teachers' Lounge' Takes Top Prize at 2023 German Film Awards, Beating Oscar Winner 'All Quiet on the Western Front'". The Hollywood Reporter. 12 May 2023. Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  45. ^ Cultura, elDiarioes (2 December 2019). "'Dolor y gloria' y 'Mientras dure la guerra' acaparan las nominaciones a los Goya 2020". elDiario.es (in Spanish). Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  46. ^ "Nominerade". Guldbaggen 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  47. ^ "2018 Jerusalem Film Festival Awards Announced". Jerusalem Film Festival. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  48. ^ "Jerusalem Film Festival – 2022". en.unifrance.org. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  49. ^ "Here are the Winners of the 2018 LA Film Festival!". Film Independent. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  50. ^ "And the winner is...: CineVision Award für den Film "Border"". MPLC - Blog (in German). 18 July 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  51. ^ Red., 27 October 2022. "This year's festival program is out now | Films from the South". www.filmfrasor.no. Retrieved 31 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  52. ^ Kilday, Gregg (12 January 2019). "Japan's 'Shoplifters' Claims FIPRESCI Prize for Best Foreign Film at Palm Springs Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  53. ^ "Nomineringer til Robert-prisen 2017". www.dfi.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  54. ^ "Robert-vindere 2019". www.dfi.dk (in Danish). Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  55. ^ "Og Robert Prisen 2023 gik til…". www.filmakademiet.dk. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  56. ^ "Festival de Sevilla | Festival de Cine Europeo". festivalcinesevilla.eu. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  57. ^ Frost, Caroline (19 November 2022). "'Holy Spider' Leads Prize List at Stockholm Film Festival; Other Winners Include Frances O'Connor and Laura Poitras". Deadline. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  58. ^ "Awards of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival". poff.ee. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  59. ^ "The five best films from the Transilvania International Film Festival 2016". Little White Lies. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  60. ^ MEDIA. "Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) 2018 | MFDB". MFDB - MEDIA Films Database. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
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