Kiarostami Meets the Prez

Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami was honored by Icelandic president Olafur Ragnar Grimsson at his official residence outside Reykjavik known as Bessastadir. After some initial hesitation, Kiarostami thanked the president and the people of Iceland. "I will always remember Reykjavik," he told the crowd in English. Prior to the ceremony inside the residence, people were milling about sipping champagne and talking. Grimsson at one point approached the podium signaling the start of the ceremony, but people kept on with their socializing, prompting the president to clap his hands three times, thus instantly hushing the room.