My absence is out of respect for people of my country: Asghar Farhadi wins 'Best Foreign Film' Oscar

Art is beyond politics and policies- proves Iranian director Asghar Farhadi's winning Oscar in the 'Best Foreign Film' category for 'The Salesman.'

44-year-old actor, who boycotted the event, protesting the U.S President Donald Trump's travel ban policy, labels Trump's order as "inhuman."

To accept the honour and speak on his behalf at the 89th Academy Awards, Farhadi sent Anousheh Ansari, an Iranian, and first self-funded woman in world who went to space.

Ansari read out the director's statement, which started with, "It's a great honour to be receiving this valuable award for the second time. I am sorry I am not with you tonight."

Attacking the U.S President with his strong words, Farhadi's letter continued, "My absence is out of respect for the people of my country and those of other six nations who have been disrespected by the inhuman law that bans entry of immigrants to the U.S. Dividing the world into the 'us and our enemies' categories creates fear- deceitful justification for aggression and war. These wars prevent democracy and human rights in countries, which have themselves been victim of aggression."

"Filmmakers can turn their cameras to capture sheer human qualities and break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others-= an empathy we need today more than ever," the statement further read.

Meanwhile, Farhadi had a free screening of The Salesman in London, which was introduced by London mayor Sadiq Khan.

'The Salesman' premiered at Cannes last May, follows a couple in Tehran involved in an amateur dramatic production of Arthur Miller's 'The Salesman,' who are forced to move apartments following an earthquake. But the flat into which they move had an unhappy history, compounded by an unwelcome intruder.

On a related note, Farhadi won Iran's first Oscar for his film 'A Separation' in 2012.