VOA Special English
Iranian Film Star Wins Best Actor Award at Cannes

    2016/5/23

    Iranian film star Shahab Hosseini has won the best actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in France.

    Hosseini was recognized on Sunday for his part in the movie, "The Salesman." The film tells the story of a husband shaken by the attack of his wife in their own home.

    In his acceptance speech, the 42-year-old actor said the award should go not to him, but to the people of Iran.

    Director Asghar Farhadi and actor Shahab Hosseini after their Cannes wins.
    Director Asghar Farhadi and actor Shahab Hosseini after their Cannes wins.

    “This award, in a way, has come from my people,” he said. “Therefore, I return it back to them. With love and with my entire heart and soul, I dedicate this award to the people of my country.”

    “The Salesman” won the best screenplay award at Cannes. The play is the work of Iranian writer and director Asghar Farhadi.

    A few years ago, Hosseini and Farhadi worked together on another movie, called “A Separation.” That film led to Hosseini winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor, while Farhadi won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

    I’m Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth.

    Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

    Did you see the movie? Did you see the Cannes awards ceremonies? Tell us what you thought of them in the Comments, and post on 51VOA.COM.

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    Words in This Story

    shaken – n. to cause (someone) to feel fear or shock

    dedicatev. to decide that something will be used for a special purpose; to say that something was written or is being performed to honor someone

    screenplayn. the script for a movie