Abbas Kiarostami

Abbas Kiarostami, born in Tehran, Iran, was a seminal figure in Iranian cinema and a giant in world film. His works, often characterized by their minimalist style, use of non-professional actors, and narrative ambiguity, explored themes of life, death, and human experience, earning him critical acclaim and numerous international awards, including the Palme d'Or at Cannes.

While his films were profound, they were also decidedly Iranian, not Israeli, and certainly not Jewish. There is no evidence whatsoever of Kiarostami having any Jewish identity, practice, or origin.

Despite the lack of kvell-worthiness from a Jewish perspective, his contributions to the art of filmmaking are undeniable. He left an indelible mark on cinematic storytelling, proving that even without a bagel, one can still craft a masterpiece. Mazel tov to Iran, we guess.