IRAN’S government Tuesday hailed the weekend win by Iranian movie “A Separation” at the U.S. Golden Globe awards — overlooking its initial efforts to halt the film being made.

    In a message to the movie’s director, Asghar Farhadi, published by the Mehr news agency, Deputy Culture Minister Javad Shamaqdari said: “I congratulate Mr. Farhadi, the film community and the Iranian people for this success.”

    He said the film’s Golden Globe’ award for best foreign-language movie showed the quality of cinema and culture under Iran’s Islamic revolution.

    Farhadi’s film, which tells the story of an estranged couple caught up in lies and a nasty legal dispute with a domestic worker, has picked up numerous awards in festivals around the world.

    It is seen as one of the front runners for the foreign language best picture award at the Oscars to be held in Los Angeles on Feb. 26. The Iranian Government is backing its nomination at those awards. (SD-Agencies)