By Kayhan Life Staff
Three Iranian-born actresses —Golshifteh Farahani, Taraneh Alidoosti, and Zahra Amir Ebrahimi — have movies in competition for the top prize at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, which runs from May 17 to May 28 in the French coastal resort.
Farahani, who lives and works in France, plays alongside Oscar-winning actress Marion Cotillard in French director Arnaud Desplechin’s “Brother and Sister,” one of the films competing for the Palme d’Or, the festival’s top award.
Farahani is currently starring in the Apple TV drama “Invasion.” In 2016, she co-starred with Adam Driver in another Cannes competition title, Jim Jarmusch’s “Paterson.” In 2014, she was nominated in the “Promising Actress” category in the César Awards — the French equivalent of the Oscars — for her role in “The Patience Stone.” And in 2008, she co-starred with Leonardo DiCaprio in Ridley Scott’s 2008 spy thriller “Body of Lies.”
The actress recently posted photographs of herself, Amir Ebrahimi, and Alidoosti on her Instagram page.
“Members of the same team do not compete,” she said in the social media post. “This photograph is enough of an award for me at the Cannes Film Festival. After so many years, we are in the same picture frame.”
In response, Alidoosti said she hoped that they would meet again in Cannes.
“I will be there with you in spirit if not in person,” Farahani, who is currently filming on another continent, wrote back.
Alidoosti stars in Iranian director Saeed Roustayi’s drama “Leila’s Brothers,” which is also in the running for the 2022 Palme d’Or. She previously had a lead role in Asghar Farhadi’s “The Salesman,” which premiered at the 2016 Cannes Festival and won the best screenplay and best actor awards.
Back in Iran, Alidoosti is part of a five-member committee recently designated by 500 women working in the Iranian film industry to investigate charges of sexual harassment and abuse in the industry. The panel was set up after Somayeh Mirhashemi, an assistant director, accused an actor of sexual harassment. Her accusation led 300 women in the industry released a statement calling for an end to sexual harassment, abuse, and violence in the industry.
As it happens, the actor accused by Mirhashemi of harassment is in the cast of “Leila’s Brothers,” the movie premiering at this year’s Cannes Festival which Alidoosti has a part in.
Amir Ebrahimi will be in the Cannes spotlight for her role in the Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi’s “Holy Spider,” a French, German, Swedish, and Danish production that is in the official competition for the Palme d’Or.
Ebrahimi, an accomplished actor and photographer based in France, became famous for her role in the 69-episode drama “Narges” broadcast on Iranian TV in 2006. In 2018, she won the prize for Best Lead Actress in a Foreign Language Film at the Nice International Film Festival for her role in Reza Rahimi’s “Bride vs. Democracy.”
Commenting on Amir Ebrahimi — whose nickname is “Zar” — attending this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Farahani said: “My Dear Zar. I am extremely proud of you. You are my friend and compatriot. We have been fighting together every step and breath for the past 15 years. You are the main reason for this film being at the Cannes Film Festival.”
Farahani also praised Saeed Roustayi’s drama “Leila’s Brothers,” saying his work reignited her interest in Iranian films. She extended her best wishes to Mr. Roustayi and his creative team.
