‘Divine Comedy’ Filmmaker Ali Asgari Shares A Lighter Take on Reality at Doha Film Festival
Doha, Qatar; November 27, 2025: The cast and crew of dramedy Divine Comedy gathered for a press briefing at Doha Film Festival, currently underway until November 28. They offered a glimpse into the making of their feature, which had its MENA premiere at the festival.
Divine Comedy follows the hurdles faced by a 40-year-old Iranian filmmaker attempting to release a movie in his home country. Of the film’s candid nature, director Ali Asgari shared: “I just put the camera in the street and filmed. What you see is the reality. We didn’t have extras; they’re normal people. It was a very low-budget film, shot over a short period of time.”
An acclaimed writer, director, and producer whose works have travelled Toronto, Venice, Berlin, and Cannes, Ali added: “This film is not autobiographical, but it’s a very personal film told through a comedic lens. Some events are inspired by real life.”
Producer Milad Khosravi revealed that eighty per cent of the film’s funds came from private co-producers. “When you’re making arthouse cinema, you don’t set out to make a lot of money. Our co-producers wanted to support us and to be part of a film with Ali.”
Actress Sadaf Asgari, who previously collaborated with Ali on Disappearance, which premiered in Doha in 2017, commented: “I accepted this script because of Ali and how deeply I respect him. He knows me better than I do. He really knows how to lead the team.”
Lead actor Bahram Ark, a filmmaker himself, similarly recounted his experience being persuaded by Ali to step in front of the camera. “At first, I said I’m not an actor – I’m a filmmaker. I can’t do it. But Ali said if I didn’t act in the film, he wouldn’t make the film. The most important thing was the atmosphere the team created. We shot over 10 days, and it was a fantastic experience throughout.”
Doha Film Festival marks the bold next chapter in Doha Film Institute’s mission to nurture regional talent and champion urgent and authentic stories in cinema. For more information, visit www.dohafilm.com.
