I never reflect or convey that which I have not experienced myself.

- Abbas Kiarostami

The Iranian government as a whole has no relationship with my films. They're not particularly interested, perhaps this kind of cinema is not very int…

- Abbas Kiarostami

I'm not sure that my films show the reality of life in Iran; we show different aspects of life. Iran is a very extensive and expansive place, and som…

- Abbas Kiarostami

I think Woody Allen is Woody Allen, and no matter where he goes he still makes his Woody Allen films.

- Abbas Kiarostami

I've often noticed that we are not able to look at what we have in front of us, unless it's inside a frame.

- Abbas Kiarostami

Religion works on some people but not on everyone, because it says, 'Stop thinking and accept what I tell you.' That's not valid for people who want …

- Abbas Kiarostami

The [Iranian] government grapples with more important issues and we can maybe say that these films don't really exist for them. It's not about whethe…

- Abbas Kiarostami

Unfortunately, cinema critics are very few in America, 400-500 people, but there are more critics of Iran.

- Abbas Kiarostami

As film-makers, it is very important for us to find common ground between cultures, and maybe that's less the case for politicians who benefit more f…

- Abbas Kiarostami