Iran actor wins nom at Asian Film Awards

Iranian actor and star of ‘World War III’ has won a nomination at the 2023 Asian Film Awards (AFAA).

Mohsen Tanabandeh, an Iranian actor, comedian and director, has received a nomination for Best Actor at the 16th edition of the Asian event.

He won the nomination for his role in Houman Seyyedi’s movie ‘World War III’ that tells the story of Shakib, a homeless day laborer.

The man never got over the loss of his wife and son in an earthquake years ago. He works in a place where a movie on the World War is being filmed, and when one of the actors collapses, Shakib has been chosen as his stand-in.

Shakib is allowed to stay in the actor’s fake mansion, but on condition that he does not receive any visitors, but he makes a decision that endangers his fate.

The film is co-written by Seyyedi, Arian Vazir-Daftari, and Azad Jafarian.

Besides Tanabandeh, Mahsa Hejazi, Neda Jebreeli and Navid Nosrati comprise the cast list of the film.

‘World War III’ received its international premiere at the Venice International Film Festival in Italy. It took part in the festival’s Orizzonti section and managed to grab two awards.

The film was also awarded at the 35th Tokyo International Film Festival in Japan.

‘World War III’ has been selected as Iran’s submission for best international feature at the 2023 Academy Awards.

The AFAA is jointly founded in 2013 by the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the Busan International Film Festival, and the Tokyo International Film Festival for the development of Asian cinema.

The upcoming edition of the awarding ceremony is slated for March 12 in Hong Kong.

AA/MG