The performances in Raha, directed by Hessam Farahmand and produced by Saeed Khani, have been among the standout elements noted by audiences and the media during the Nowruz (Persian New Year) screenings.

Perhaps that’s one reason why, alongside its other strengths, the film won the Crystal Simorgh for Best Debut Feature at the 43rd Fajr Film Festival in Tehran.

The cast includes Shahab Hosseini and Ghazal Shakeri, alongside rising talents Zoha Esmailifar, Arman Mirzaei, and Mohammadreza Samian. Seasoned filmmaker Marzieh Borumand also contributed as directorial advisor.

Zoha Esmailifar, a young Iranian actress, plays the title role of Raha — the girl around whom the story unfolds.

“Raha is my first experience in cinema,” Esmailifar explains.
“It’s very special to me that Raha’s hair plays a key role in the film, since women’s hair is so often absent in our cinema.”

🎥 Watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.