ifilm exclusive interview with Iran director Mehdi Fakhimzadeh

Best known for cop action movies, noted Iran actor /director Mehdi Fakhimzadeh talks about his artistic career and related on-screen matters in an ifilm exclusive interview.

Fakhimzadeh is the one who knows his job well in action films with a theme on fighting crime. Without doubt, his works are the best in projection of Iran law enforcement as he made the best cop movies ever.

Fakhimzadeh studied French Literature at Tehran University and later began studying Dramatic Arts but left his studies unfinished. 

Fakhimzadeh began his career as a stage actor in 1969 and made his movie debut with ‘Chubby’. 

After entering the film industry as an actor, he tried his hand at directing and made ‘The Courtship’ in 1990 and ‘Spouse’ in 1994 which were both box office hits.

He has also appeared in ‘Yavar’ (1974), ‘The Courtship’ (1989), ‘The Chump’ (1991), ‘The Loneliest Commander’ (1997), ‘A Place of Love’ (2000), ‘Asleep and Awake’ (2002), ‘Marriage Iranian Style’ (2004), ‘Cry Out in Silence’ (2007), ‘Mokhtarnameh’ (2004-2009), ‘Building No.85’ (2010), ‘Lean on the Wind’ (2011).

Below is a rough translation of selected parts from his interview conducted by ifilm in Persian.

ifilm: You are said to be the master of cop movies in Iran. What makes you so interested in making films in such genre?

Fakhimzadeh: All people follow their interest and I am no exception to the rule. In addition to cop films, I made other movies in various genres, and each has its own appeal for me.  Making cop films is just a tiny portion within the context of my activities.

ifilm: You have played in most of your own films. How come this was the case for you?

Fakhimzadeh: I’ve never come across anyone saying that they don’t like my roles and here is talking about the public. I don’t write any roles for myself in my films; however, I normally realize a role fits me just toward the end of writing the screenplay.

Sometimes, though, I had to take on a role in my films and it is just a must-do type of thing. For instance, in ‘The Loneliest Commander’ series I played the role of ‘Shemr’ as no one liked to be cast for the role.

ifilm: Your roles seem always different. To cite a few examples, you appeared in films as police offer, criminal and mentally-challenged person.

Fakhimzadeh: I don’t like to repeat one role in movies. However, as a director, I made some series and films in one genre. In the world of directors, you can have your say. This does not hold true in the case of acting, though. I played the role of ‘Namaki’ once and it made history; I didn’t want to spoil the role by repetition.    

AG/AG