Fajr Film Festival to Honor Akbar Abdi

The 36th Fajr Film Festival, slated for February 1-11 in Tehran, will pay tribute to popular Iranian actor Akbar Abdi.

Mostly known as a comedian, Abdi, 57, was born in Tehran to Azeri parents (from Ardebil). He began his career with the children’s TV series ‘Crowded Neighborhood’ in 1981. He proved his worth through another series for children ‘I am Late for School Again’, the festival website wrote.

For nearly four decades, Abdi has played a wide variety of roles (mostly comic) in over 50 TV series and 80 films. He commands respect as a classic movie star with a successful career.

He is the only Iranian male actor who has assumed the role of women in three different films, ‘The Dreamy’ by Fereydoun Jeyrani (2013), ‘I Feel Sleepy’ by Reza Attaran (2010) and ‘The Snowman’ by Davoud Mirbagheri (1995).

His performance in I Feel Sleepy, where he played the role of an old woman earned him the Crystal Simorgh for the best supporting actor at the 30th Fajr Film Festival.

The accomplished actor also had a brilliant performance as a mentally-challenged person in the late filmmaker Ali Hatami’s acclaimed film ‘Mother’ (1991) for which he won his first Crystal Simorgh for the best supporting actor at the 8th Fajr Film Festival.

The FFF public relations office had earlier announced that the festival would honor two other artists at the annual event, namely voice actor Manouchehr Esmaeili, 78, and veteran film director, producer and screenwriter Mohammad Ali Najafi, 74.

Founded in 1982, FFF is Iran’s main film festival held every year in Tehran. The event displays creative achievements of cineastes and awards quality local films. Since its establishment, it has played a vital role in helping develop the domestic film industry.