TEHRAN: Iranians reacted with pride on Monday after an Iranian film, 'A Separation', won a major US prize a triumph on the international stage that, for a moment, eclipsed geopolitical tensions.

Its victory at Hollywood's Golden Globes, where director Asghar Farhadi picked up the award for best foreignlanguage movie from pop star Madonna late Sunday, lit up Iranians' messages on online social networks.

This award 'is the cause of pride for all Iranians all over the world,'said one Facebook user, Iman, 29.

'OMG...! I still can't believe that Farhadi got the Globe from Madonna! Now I really envy him. Congratulations to everyone!' said another, Mehrdad, 33.

Few Iranian media carried reports on the win on Monday, mainly because the Golden Globes took place well after newspaper deadlines.

'A Separation' is Iran's official entry for the Oscars next month, where another trophy already tipped by many of the world's leading film critics would be a cultural coup for this country at a time it is facing an intense Western campaign to isolate it politically.

Iran's government initially slapped a ban on the movie as it was being made because Farhadi voiced support for fellow filmmakers labelled by authorities as 'anti-regime'.

But, following an apology from Farhadi that permitted 'A Separation' to be completed, Tehran has come to embrace the movie, strengthening support for it as it picked up award after award in international festivals.—AFP