The production of A Time for Drunken Horses in 2000 marked the first feature film made in Iran by a Kurdish director. Bahman Ghobadi, born in 1969 in the city of Baneh, emerged from the Iran Broadcasting College to become a central figure in the new wave of Iranian cinema, focusing his lens on ethnic identities and political narratives.
Early Career and Education
After relocating with his family to Sanandaj in 1981, Ghobadi pursued formal studies in film directing at the University of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. His professional trajectory began with industrial photography and the creation of short 8 mm films, including the documentary Life in Fog. He gained early industry exposure by serving as an assistant director for Abbas Kiarostami on the film The Wind Will Carry Us.
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In 2000, Ghobadi founded Mij Film to facilitate projects centered on Iran's diverse ethnic groups. His directorial debut, A Time for Drunken Horses, secured the Caméra d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He followed this with Marooned in Iraq, which earned a Gold Plaque in Chicago. His 2004 feature, Turtles Can Fly, achieved international recognition by winning the Glass Bear and Peace Film Award in Berlin, alongside the Golden Shell at the San Sebastian International Film Festival. He received the Index Award in 2006 and the ACFK Annual Award in 2018.
Thematic Focus and Collaboration
Ghobadi’s filmography frequently addresses the constraints faced by marginalized populations. Half Moon, released in 2006, explored the experiences of musicians in Iranian Kurdistan and featured performers such as Golshifteh Farahani, Hassan Poorshirazi, and Hedyeh Tehrani. Later projects, including No One Knows About Persian Cats and Rhino Season, continued this investigation into censorship and artistic survival. His documentary work, such as the 2015 Sundance entry A Flag without a Country, examines the global status of the Kurdish population.
Global Roles and Activism
Beyond directing, Ghobadi has served as a jury member or president for numerous festivals, including those in Busan, Kerala, and São Paulo. Though he does not prioritize acting, he appeared as a prison cook in the 2019 film The Irishman out of respect for Martin Scorsese and Al Pacino. Currently, his work includes advocacy for human rights and freedom of expression, including open letters to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences regarding exile directors and the democratic cause in Iran.
Fast facts
- Born: 1969, Baneh, Iran
- Education: University of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting
- Company founded: Mij Film (2000)
- Index Award: 2006
- ACFK Annual Award: 2018
- Acting credit: The Irishman (2019)
- Languages: Persian
Questions readers ask
What was Bahman Ghobadi's first feature film?
His first feature film was A Time for Drunken Horses, released in 2000.
Which organization awarded Ghobadi for his contribution to freedom of expression?
In 2006, Index on Censorship presented him with an Index Film Award for his work on Turtles Can Fly.
