Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami is an undisputed master of contemporary cinema. A vivid retrospective of his work is currently being shown at ACMI in Melbourne, and to discuss the program Flick is joined on Primal Screen by its curator - former ACMI CEO and current Creative Director of Scotland’s Centre for the Moving Image - Kristy Matheson.

Kristy discusses Kiarostami’s life and inspirations, and how all the art forms he practiced bled into his work as a film maker.

"He was also a very celebrated poet, which I think is an important part of his filmmaking – because the films are incredibly poetic."

Listen to the full interview below.

For more information on ACMI's Abbas Kiarostami retropsective head here.

[image credit: supplied]