Le PASSE is This Year's Oscar Nom. for Best Foreign Film

Le Passe (The PAST) an intense, complex family drama is by Iranian director/writer Asghar Farhadi.  Farhadi won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film for "A Separation."  Le Passe marks Ashar's 1st departure from filming in Iran.  PAST is set in France and entirely in French.  Ahmad (Al Mosaffa) is an Iranian has returned to France after 4 years to finalize a divorice from his estranged wife, Marie (Berenice Bejo) and to see his 2 stepdaughters.  Ahmad had formed a deep bond during the years he spent with Marie & her girls.  The ties that bind between Ahmad & Marie are apparent as is the love & respect her daughters feel towards Ahmad.  It is not clear what caused the break in their relationship.  Ahmad returns to discover numerous changes.  Marie has a live-in relationship with Samir (Tahar Rahia) with his son, Fauod.  Lea the younger daughter is delighted to see Ahmad.  Older daughter, Lucie, has been  tormenting & worrying her mother.  Marie asks Ahmad to intercede with Lucie.  Lucie soon reveals troubling family secrets to the attentive & caring Ahmad. This is a fierce & emotional drama where unknown confidences are unraveld and the past comes hurling into the present with its disastrous consequences.  The PAST is an unforgettable movie.  Relationships are tested; apologies and forgiveness are questioned.  It's about deciding or remaining stuck in purgatory.  I've decided the Oscar for best foreign film this year should go to THE PAST.