French Literature Reviews - 2026
A. Devictor, J.-M. Frodon, Abbas Kiarostami
Art and Visual Culture
Abbas Kiarostami
Agnès Devictor, Jean-Michel Frodon
Hors série Connaissance, Gallimard, 2021
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ISBN: 9782072859274
280 p.
29 EUR
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While Abbas Kiarostami gave us sublime films—to name but one, Taste of Cherry, winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes—he was not only one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. This book is the first to explore the multifaceted and singular journey of this immense artist—spanning cinema, photography, installation, video, poetry, and more—the historical, artistic, Iranian, and international contexts in which he worked, his methods, and his teaching activities, which he pursued tirelessly across the globe. Attentive to childhood and nature, and sensitive to contemporary issues, Kiarostami's work was entirely conceived to be shared with audiences worldwide—an open work.
Abbas Kiarostami stands as one of the most celebrated figures in modern world cinema, renowned for masterpieces such as Taste of Cherry, which captured the prestigious Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. This volume broadens our understanding of his creative output by examining his engagement with diverse mediums including photography, video installations, and poetry. By tracing his artistic evolution, the authors illuminate how his distinctive aesthetic took shape within specific Iranian cultural traditions while simultaneously resonating with international audiences across the globe.
This publication serves as an essential resource for film scholars, art historians, and cineastes interested in the intersections of visual culture, pedagogy, and contemporary art practice. It carefully details his working methods and teaching endeavors, offering valuable insights into an open artistic philosophy deeply attuned to nature and childhood. Readers seeking to understand the wider context of global art cinema and the broader intellectual legacy of a truly singular master will find this timely study particularly illuminating.