Austrian-American action star Arnold Schwarzenegger has praised Iranian actor Mohammadreza Golzar for his role in ‘Atomic Heart’ after watching the film at the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF), Switzerland.
Arnold who was honored with the festival’s top Golden Icon award for his four decades of work both in films and politics, was invited by the cast and crew to see the Iranian movie as a special guest at Friday night’s showing of the film, Cinetmag.com reported.
Golzar portrays the role of Schwarzenegger in part of the movie which Arnold said he loved. He further expressed surprise at the new atmosphere “Iranian youth live in.”
The Iranian actor said he watched Arnold’s movies in his childhood, and said, “Tonight he watched me playing his role. I feel proud as he praised my acting.”
Born in Tehran, Golzar, 38, gained fame as guitarist of the Iranian music group, Arian Band, before starting his acting career. In 2000, he was invited to act in ‘Sam and Narges’ by the late director Iraj Ghaderi. He has since acted in 26 movies, most of which did well at the box office.
‘Atomic Heart’ was screened along with 17 other Iranian movies in the New World View section. It has been screened at foreign festivals including the 17th Buenos Aires International Independent Film Festival and the forum section of the 2015 Berlinale.
The enigmatic story is of three friends on their way back home from a party at night. Following a sudden crash, they meet a mysterious man who keeps reappearing throughout the film.
The rest of the cast includes young stars Taraneh Alidoosti, Pegah Ahangarani and Mehrdad Sedighian.
Arnold, 68, first came to fame as a bodybuilder who won the Mr. Universe title at age 20, and took up acting as his career in 1970. He acted in 29 movies before serving two terms as California governor from 2003 to 2011. After that he resumed acting and has acted in eight films so far.
Film fans remember him in ‘Terminator’ and ‘Conan’ film series in which he starred in the 1980s and 1990s.
The festival wrapped up on October 4.
