Academy reacts to 'Muslim Ban' that may keep Iran filmmaker from Oscars

The Motion Picture Academy is reacting to reports that Oscar nominee Asghar Farhadi might not be able to attend this year's 89th Academy Awards due to the ''Muslim Ban'' ordered by U.S. president Donald Trump.

The 44-year-old Iranian director is nominated for Best Foreign Language Film for his movie 'The Salesman';.

"The Academy celebrates achievement in the art of filmmaking, which seeks to transcend borders and speak to audiences around the world, regardless of national, ethnic, or religious differences. As supporters of filmmakers—and the human rights of all people—around the globe, we find it extremely troubling that Asghar Farhadi, the director of the Oscar-winning film from Iran A Separation, along with the cast and crew of this year's Oscar-nominated film The Salesman, could be barred from entering the country because of their religion or country of origin,'' an Academy spokesperson said in a statement released on Saturday.

Hollywood Reporter