Shahab Hosseini’s presence in various aspects of cinema reflects profound intellectual and mental underpinnings that lead to numerous reasons for accepting each film and role. Supporting debut filmmakers is one of his priorities.

Recently, news has emerged about a film titled “Raha”, featuring Shahab Hosseini. Directed by debut filmmaker Hesam Farahman, this social melodrama is currently filming in Tehran and is expected to be nominated for this year’s Fajr Film Festival.

Hosseini has consistently supported debut filmmakers throughout his career, appearing in several first-time films by emerging directors. His commitment to nurturing new talent in the industry continues with upcoming film “Raha”, a feature film directed by debut filmmaker Hesam Farahmand starring Hosseini and Iranian actress Ghazal Shakeri as the lead roles. Head to the link in our bio and read the full article on our webite.

Image description: Shahab Hosseini + Ghazal Shakeri

 

Alongside Hosseini, the film also features Ghazal Shakeri. Produced by Saeed Khani and shot by cinematographer Rouzbeh Rayga, “Raha” marks Khani’s third collaboration with a first-time director. The screenplay was written by Mohammad Ali Hosseini and Hesam Farahmand, with veteran director, actress and puppeteer Marzieh Boroumand serving as a director’s advisor.

A glance at Hosseini’s career reveals many films associated with young and debut directors, showcasing his commitment to supporting them.

Veteran critic Robin Wood has stated in one of his articles that “In cinema, the performances of actors are forever frozen in time and space.” Given the restrictive conditions a film actor faces—of which a theater actor may be unaware—Hosseini’s ability to showcase his gradual progress in every performance is commendable. For some time now, Shahab Hosseini has become a strong point in his films, making his presence in any movie of primary importance. Let’s take a brief look at some of the debut films he has worked on:

 

“Honey Poison” | Director: Ebrahim Sheybani | 2003

The film “Honey Poison”, directed by Ebrahim Sheybani and written by Farid Mostafavi, was produced in 2002. A young couple, Sina and Sharareh, go to the north of Iran for their honeymoon and encounter unexpected events. The cast includes Faramarz Farahani, Mohammad Reza Golzar, Mahnaz Afshar, and Shahab Hosseini, with music by Fariborz Lachini and editing by Mostafa Khargheh Posh. This was Hosseini’s first collaboration with a debut director.

Sheybani directed his first feature film after years as an assistant director and actor. The film featured only four actors, with Hosseini being the least experienced among them. He shared the screen with Mahnaz Afshar, Mohammad Reza Golzar, and the late Faramarz Farahani, marking his first work with a debut director. Hosseini played the antagonist, creating disturbances for the main couple, Golzar and Afshar. This film also represents the only collaboration between Shahab Hosseini and Mohammad Reza Golzar.

 

“Online Murder” | Director: Masoud Abparvar | 2005

In “Online Murder”, Shahab Hosseini portrays a serial killer. This film represents an unintentional experience for Hosseini in working with a debut filmmaker. Directed by Masoud Abparvar, who transitioned from years in television and telefilms to directing a feature film, the film underwent several directorial changes before reaching production.

Hosseini not only emerged as the film’s best actor but also delivered one of the best supporting performances in Iranian cinema. He embraced his role with emotion, blending calmness and anxiety. The character’s execution, marked by Hosseini’s charming quirks, added an air of dignity that appeared justified and likable to the audience. Typically, such quirks create a gap between character and viewer, but here they had an opposite and delightful effect.

Masoud Abparvar commented on Hosseini’s involvement: “In one or two meetings after reading the screenplay, he connected so well with it that we revised the story through his perspective within a week.” He described the final scene, filmed at a height, where Hosseini tells the girl’s fiancé to meet him at “the tallest unfinished tower in the city” symbolizing a sense of unfinished modernism that adds depth to the drama.

 

“Around the Highway” | Director: Siavash Asadi | 2008

Siavash Asadi collaborated with Shahab Hosseini in his debut feature film, “Around the Highway”, shot in 2008. The film tells the story of a girl whose life is sacrificed to her dark past. Hosseini played a brief but impactful role.

Hosseini, who had taken on major roles in recent years, portrayed the mysterious and somewhat complex character, Pasha, in a way that kept the audience guessing about their proximity to him, as his character’s gray areas facilitated this uncertainty. Despite the film’s sensitive and intense narrative, it navigated its themes effectively and proved that young filmmakers like Siavash Asadi have substantial social commentary to offer, provided they are given the necessary resources.

 

“Africa” | Director: Hooman Seyedi | 2011

In “Africa” Shahab Hosseini plays one of three petty drug dealers—Shahab (a name-alike role), alongside Javad Ezati and Amir Jadidi—who, after unsuccessfully chasing a young man under the orders of a person named Saadat, end up at his villa in Lavasan, where they encounter a girl named Shirin (Azadeh Samadi).

After directing several short films, Seyedi experiences his debut feature with “Africa”, an experimental piece. In this film, Hosseini has no dialogue, despite his face appearing prominently on the film’s posters. Seyedi revealed in an interview that this was a suggestion from Hosseini himself, which added to the story’s appeal. This marked Hosseini’s second experience supporting an actor directing their first feature film. Although “Africa” was a successful entry at the Fajr Film Festival, it did not receive a theatrical release and was instead released on home media.

By choosing Hosseini for this role and crafting an uncomfortable silence around him, Seyedi effectively keeps the audience engaged throughout the film. “What will Shahab do?” is a lingering question, as Hosseini appears more stable than the others and embarks on a path at the end of the film that seems long desired yet previously unattainable, showcasing Shirin’s freedom, though she remains wounded.

Hooman Seyedi remarked on Shahab Hosseini’s performance: “Shahab is one of the film’s essential elements, and viewers will be surprised by his performance. The idea of him not speaking throughout the film is brilliant, as it originates from a deep place within him as an actor.”

 

“Five Stars” | Director: Mahshid Afsharzadeh | 2013

“Five Stars” is the debut feature of Mahshid Afsharzadeh, with a story written by Ali Akbar Ghazi Nezam. The film follows a girl who faces difficulties going to university and experiences various challenges while seeking a job to cover her tuition. In her first feature, Afsharzadeh cast prominent actors, including Shahab Hosseini, Homayoun Ershadi, Behnoosh Bakhtiari, Sahar Ghoreishi, Shirin Bina, Leila Boloukati, Omid Rouhani, Mahmoud Jafari, and Diba Zahedi.

Set in one of Tehran’s major hotels, Hosseini plays the role of the hotel’s manager—an extroverted character that he accepted after successes in works like “Nader and Simin: A Separation” and “The Painting Pool,” significantly aiding the film’s visibility in public screenings. The character, played by Hosseini, is a compassionate and principled individual who respects and values his subordinates, recognizing that most women working under him are doing so to support their families, always striving to assist them in overcoming their challenges. The hotel staff holds him in high regard.

During filming, Hosseini suffered from a throat sensitivity that caused his voice to become strained, leading Afsharzadeh to shoot some scenes with his affected voice. Once the sensitivity cleared, Hosseini was asked to maintain the same strained voice throughout filming to ensure consistency across various scenes.