Iranian 'A Separation' wins best foreign Oscar

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Iranian domestic drama "A Separation" has won the best foreign language film at the Academy Awards.

It's the first time an Iranian film has taken the honor. The only other Iranian movie nominated was 1997's "Children of Heaven," which was defeated by Italy's "Life Is Beautiful."

The widely-hailed "A Separation," directed by Asghar Farhadi, also won the best foreign film at the Golden Globes. Farhadi was nominated for a best screenplay Oscar.

The other nominees were Michael R. Roskam's crime drama "Bullhead" from Belgium; Philippe Falardeau's immigrant substitute teacher tale "Monsieur Lazhar" from Canada; Joseph Cedar's Talmudic scholar saga "Footnote" from Israel; and Agnieszka Holland's World War II drama "In Darkness" from Poland.

Last year, when Denmark's submission, "In a Better World," directed by Susanne Bier, was the winner.