The Iranian film The Salesman was among the five official nominees for the Academy Awards’ Best Foreign Language Film, which were announced on Tuesday.

The Salesman is directed, written and produced by acclaimed Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, who won the same award for A Separation in 2012.

The film won Best Screenplay, and Best Actor for star Shahab Hosseini, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. It also picked up the Satellite Award for Best Foreign Language Film given by the International Press Academy.

It was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2017 Golden Globes earlier this month.

Farhadi is one of the foremost Iranian directors of his generation. A Separation won a Golden Globe and the Golden Bear at the Berlinale 2012, as well as taking the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.

In an interview with Reuters, the director said The Salesman is a look into the depths of human relations.

"The oldest, the most ancient relationship in human history is the couple's relationship, the love relationship between a man and a woman," Farhadi said before the film's premiere in Cannes.

The film was screened in Cairo at Zawya cinema between 18 and 24 January.

The 89th Academy Awards will take place on 26 February at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

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