Abolfazl Ahankhah
Actor
About Abolfazl Ahankhah
Abolfazl Ahankhah is primarily known for his appearance in Abbas Kiarostami's acclaimed 1990 film 'Close-Up.' He was not a professional actor but rather a real person who played himself in this groundbreaking docufiction. Ahankhah was the son of the Ahankhah family who were deceived by Hossein Sabzian, a man who impersonated famous Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf. His participation in the film was part of Kiarostami's innovative approach to blending documentary and fiction. The film became an international success and is considered a masterpiece of Iranian cinema. After this appearance, Ahankhah did not pursue an acting career, returning to his private life. His role in 'Close-Up' represents a unique example of non-professional acting in world cinema.
The Craft
On Screen
Naturalistic, non-professional performance portraying himself in real-life circumstances
Milestones
- Appeared as himself in 'Close-Up' (1990)
- Participated in the reenactment of real events for Kiarostami's film
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Part of the cast of 'Close-Up' which won numerous international awards including the Prix Un Certain Regard at Cannes
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ahankhah's participation in 'Close-Up' contributed to the film's groundbreaking approach to cinema, blurring the lines between documentary and fiction. The film became a landmark in Iranian cinema and influenced filmmakers worldwide with its innovative narrative techniques. His authentic portrayal of himself helped demonstrate the power of non-professional actors in creating compelling cinema.
Lasting Legacy
His legacy is tied to his single but significant contribution to one of the most important films in world cinema history. 'Close-Up' continues to be studied in film schools and cited as an influence by numerous directors. Ahankhah represents the real people who occasionally step into cinema and create unforgettable moments.
Who They Inspired
As a non-professional actor, his naturalistic performance in 'Close-Up' demonstrated the effectiveness of using real people to portray their own stories, influencing the docufiction genre and encouraging other directors to experiment with similar approaches.
Off Screen
Limited public information available. He was part of the Ahankhah family involved in the real-life incident depicted in 'Close-Up.' After the film's release, he returned to private life and did not pursue a career in entertainment.
Did You Know?
- He was not a professional actor but a real person playing himself
- His family was deceived by Hossein Sabzian who pretended to be director Mohsen Makhmalbaf
- Director Abbas Kiarostami convinced the real participants to reenact the events for the film
- The film 'Close-Up' became an international sensation despite its unconventional approach
- His performance was completely improvised as he was recounting his actual experiences
- The film was shot in chronological order following the real events
- After the film's success, he chose not to pursue acting as a career
- His appearance helped launch the international recognition of Iranian cinema
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Abolfazl Ahankhah?
Abolfazl Ahankhah was an Iranian man who appeared as himself in Abbas Kiarostami's 1990 film 'Close-Up.' He was not a professional actor but rather a real person involved in the actual events depicted in the film, where his family was deceived by a man impersonating director Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
What films is Abolfazl Ahankhah best known for?
Abolfazl Ahankhah is known exclusively for his appearance in 'Close-Up' (1990), which remains his only film credit. This critically acclaimed Iranian film directed by Abbas Kiarostami became an international art house sensation and is considered a masterpiece of world cinema.
When was Abolfazl Ahankhah born and when did he die?
Specific birth and death dates for Abolfazl Ahankhah are not publicly available. He is known to be Iranian and was active in 1990 when he participated in the filming of 'Close-Up.' After this appearance, he returned to private life away from the public eye.
What awards did Abolfazl Ahankhah win?
Abolfazl Ahankhah did not receive individual acting awards, but he was part of the cast of 'Close-Up' which won numerous international accolades. The film received the Prix Un Certain Regard at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival and has been recognized as one of the greatest films ever made by various critics and organizations.
What was Abolfazl Ahankhah's acting style?
Ahankhah's acting style was completely naturalistic and authentic, as he was portraying himself in real circumstances rather than following a script. His performance exemplified the power of non-professional actors in documentary-style filmmaking, bringing genuine emotion and credibility to the screen through his real-life experiences.
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Films
1 film
