Cannes the film do it? The Salesman goes to France

DOHA: Doha Film Institute (DFI)-backed film “The Salesman” is competing at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival which opens today.
Written and directed by celebrated filmmaker Asghar Farhadi, the film will have its world premiere in the official competition at the festival.
“The Salesman” is produced by Memento Films Production and Asghar Farhadi Production, and coproduced with Arte France Cinéma in association with DFI, Memento Films Distribution and Arte France. It stars Shahab Hosseini (A Separation) and Taraneh Alidoosti (About Elly). Farhadi won the 2012 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for A Separation and the Best Actress Award at Cannes 2013 for his last film The Past.
Six more DFI- funded films are participating at the festival including two in the ‘Un Certain Regard’ section — “Apprentice” written and directed by Boo Junfeng; and “Dogs” by Bogdan Florian Mirica. 
Three will compete for top honours in the Critics Week including “Mimosas” by Oliver Laxe; “Tramontane” by Vatche Boulghourjian; and “Diamond Island” by Davy Chou. Showcased in the Directors’ Fortnight is “Divines” directed by Houda Benyamina.
“We are delighted that seven films supported by the Institute have been officially selected at Cannes this year. The selection of “The Salesman” in the Festival’s official competition section is an achievement we are all very excited about, as it adds to our pride in partnering with international productions that set new benchmarks in excellence in filmmaking. Asghar Farhadi is one of the most recognised filmmakers working today, someone we have long admired for his talent and commitment to making films that tackle strong subject matters with enduring humanity,” said Fatma Al Remaihi, Chief Executive Officer of DFI.
DFI is also presenting a special Made in Qatar (MIQ) showcase of short films at the Cannes’ Short Film Corner, a section of the festival dedicated to showcasing films from more than 90 countries to thousands of accredited industry guests, festival selectors and short film industry specialists.
The line-up includes winners of the Best Documentary Film and Best Narrative Film at Ajyal 2015, “The Palm Tree” by Jassim Al Remaihi and “Asfoora” by Mayar Hamdan respectively, “Good as New” by Jasser Alagha, “Yellow Nights” by Abdullah Al Mulla, “The Notebook” by Amna Al Binali, “Light Sounds” by Karem Kamel, “Veganize it” by Khalid Salim, “To My Mother” by Amina Ahmed Al Bloshi and “Inside Out” by Fahad Al Obaidly. 

The Peninsula