Mohsen Makhmalbaf
Born on 1957 in Tehran.
He spent four and a half years of his life in prison as a political activist from the age of 17 to 22. While in prison he became interested in writing. Currently there are 27 books published from Mohsen Makhmalbaf as a ground-breaking writer.

In 1994, he participated with two of his films “Time Of Love” & “Salam Cinema” in official section of Cannes Film Festival. He returned to Cannes in 1995 with his next film “Gabbeh”. At the same time his other film “A Moment Of Innocence” was premiered in Locarno film Festival in 1995. He took part in Venice film festival in 1996 with his film “The Silence”.

One year before the September 11th incident took place with his film “Kandahar”, premiered in Cannes film festival 2001, he put Afghanistan into the map before any other media. After making Kandahar he halted his filmmaking activities for two years in order to help and support Afghan Children thorough some of his Human Right activities. Mohsen Makhmalbaf managed to change a law in Iran, during the presidential period of the former democrat president of Iran Mr.Khatami, which resulted in the education of half a million Afghan Children refugees in Iran. He took charge of executing 82 projects in a 2 year period on education, building schools, teaching cinema and hygiene within Afghanistan as well as Iran to improve the living conditions of Afghan people.

Mohsen Makhmalbaf is the winner of more than 30 prominent international awards including the Legion d’honneur Medallion form France as well as The Best Asian Filmmaker of the world award from Pusan International Film Festival. He became the Dean of the Asian Film Academy in 2007.

All members of his family are filmmakers. His older daughter the celebrated Samira Makhmalbaf with her films The Apple, The Blackboards & At Five in The Afternoon (all premiered in Cannes Film Festival). His younger daughter Hana Makhmalbaf with Joy of Madness (premiered in Venice Film Festival) & Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame (screened in Berlin international film festival). His son Maysam Makhmalbaf with “How Samira Made The Blackboard” and his wife Marziyeh Meshkini the director of “The Day I Became A Woman” & “Stray Dogs” premiered at Venice Film Festival.

Mohsen Makhmalbaf filmmaking is not limited to his country. He has the experience of shooting films in different regions including: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Turkey and Iran.

Many of Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s works among them his films and writings are in ban in Iran. Since 2004 he has left Iran in protest to the extreme pressure of censorship and return of fascism to the country.

Directing: (Writer and Director)

1. Tobeh Nasuh 1982.
2. Two Blind Eyes 1983.
3. Fleeing from Evil to God 1984.
4. Boycott 1985.
5. The Peddler 1986.
6. The Cyclist 1987.
7. Marriage of The Blessed 1988.
8. Time of Love 1990.
9. The Nights of Zayandeh-Rood 1990.
10. Once Upon a Time, Cinema 1991.
11. Actor 1992.
12. Salam Cinema 1994.
13. Gabbeh 1995.
14. A Moment of Innocence 1995.
15. Silence 1997.
16. Kandahar 2001.
17. Sex & Philosophy 2005.
18. Scream of the Ants 2006.

Short films:

1. Images From the Ghajar Dynasty 1992.
2. Stone and Glass 1993.
3. Wind, Ruined The School 1997.
4. The Door 1998.
5. The Test of Democracy 2000.
6. The Afghan Alphabet 2002.
7. The chair 2006

Editing: (His own works)

1. The Peddler (1986).
2. The Cyclist (1987).
3. Marriage of The Blessed (1988).
4. Time of Love (1990).
5. The Nights of Zayandeh-Rood (1990).
6. Once Upon a Time, Cinema (1991).
7. Images From the Ghajar Dynasty (1992).
8. The Actor (1992).
9. Stone and Glass (1993).
10. Salam Cinéma (1994).
11. Gabbeh (1995).
12. A Moment of Innocence (1995).
13. The School Blown Away by Wind (1997).
14. Silence (1997).
15.The Testing Democracy (2000).
16.The Afghan Alphabet 2002.
17. Kandahar (2001).
18. Sex & Philosophy(2003).

Editing: (Others’ works)

1. The Scout (Directed by Ebrahim Hatami-Kia) 1988.
2. Delnamak (Directed by Amir Ghavidel) 1989.
3. The Governor (Directed by Morteza Masaeli) 1989.
4. Rajayi School (Directed by Karim Zargar) 1989.
5. Unfinished Man (Directed by Moharam Zeinalzadeh) 1992.
6. A Night and a Stranger (Directed by Ghasem Jami) 1992.
7. The Apple (Directed by Samira Makhmalbaf) 1997.
8. The Blackboard (Directed by Samira Makhmalbaf) 1999.
9. The Day I Became My Aunt Was Ill (Directed by Hana Makhmalbaf) 2000.
10. 11 September (Directed by Samira Makhmalbf) 2001.
11. At five in the afternoon (Directed by Samira Makhmalbf) 2002.
12. Two-legged horse (Directed by Samira Makhmalbf) 2008.

Screenplays: (Used by other filmmakers)

1.Justification (Directed by Manouchehr Haghani-Parast) 1980.
2. The Bells (Directed by Mohammad-Reza Honarmand) 1984.
3. Rajayi School (Directed by Karim Zargar) 1985.
4. The Governor (Directed by Morteza Masaeli) 1988.
5. Unfinished Man (Directed by Moharam Zeinalzadeh) 1991.
6. The Apple (Directed by Samira Makhmalbaf) 1997.
7. The Blackboard (Directed by Samira Makhmalbaf) 1999.
8. The Day I Became a Woman (Directed by Marziyeh Meshkini) 1999.
9. Why the votes were Canceled (Directed by Babak Payamy) 2001.
10. At five in the afternoon (Directed by Samira Makhmalbf) 2002.
11. Poet of the waste (Directed by Mohammad Ahmadi) 2004
12. Two-legged horse (Directed by Samira Makhmalbf) 2008.

Books:

A- Novels & Stories

1. Shame: (Collection of 12 stories) 1980.
2. Two Blind Eyes: (Collection of 13 stories) 1981.
3. Hoze Sultan: (Long Story) 1984.
4. The Crystal Garden: (Novel) 1986.

B- Play

1. The Martyred Sheikh: 1981.
2. Death of Another: (Collection of 3 plays) 1982.
3. Divine Arrow: (Collection of 2 plays) 1982.

C- Screenplay

1. Legitimate Parliament 1984.
2. Mother 1984.
3. The Bells 1984.
4. Birth of an Old Woman 1985.
5. Rajayi School 1985.
6. Marriage of The Blessed 1987.
7. The Cyclist 1988.
8. Time of Love (Story and Screenplay) 1990.
9. Hail the Sun 1994.
10. A Moment of Innocence 1997.
11. Kandahar 2001.
12. The Door 2001.

D – Essays

1. Introduction on Islamic art
2. Notes about story writing and playwriting
3.The Buddha Was Not Demolished in Afghanistan;
Collapsed Out of Shame

E - Selected Works:

1. The Dumb Man’s Dream (Three Volumes) Selected works of 1981 to 1991.
2. Life is Color (One Volume) Selected works of 1991 to 96.
3. To See And Not To See (One Volume)selected works of 1997 to 2002.

Books written on Makhmalbaf and his works:

1. The Peddler: (Director’s interview, Screenplay, Reviews, and Study) Compiled by Ebrahim Nabavi, 1989.
2. Salam Cinema: (Screenplay, Interviews, Reviews, and Study) Compiled by Amir Khosravi, 1996.
3. Gabbeh: (Photographs with along Screenplay) Photography by: Mohammad Ahmadi, 1996.
4. Silence: (Photographs with along Screenplay) Photography by: Maysam Makhmalbaf, 1998.

5. Mohsen Makhmalbaf: (Review and Study) Compiled by: Alberto Barbara (in Italian), 1996.
6. Makhmalbaf’s Broken Mirrors: (Review and Study) Compiled by: Lyrid Dijeon (in English), 2000.
7. Introducing of Mohsen Makhmalbaf and his works: (Review and Study) Compiled by: Baharlou, 1995 (second print: 1998).
8. "Salaam Cinema, Films of Makhmalbaf Family" by Pusan International Film Festival, 2000.

9. "The Films Of Makhmalbaf (Cinema, Politics & culture In Iran)" by: Eric Egan, 2005.
10. " Makhmalbaf at Large" (Review and Study) by: Hamid Dabashi, 2008.
11. "Mohsen Makhmalbaf: From Discourse to Dialogue" (Review and Study) by: Fernando González García, 2008.

Works of Makhmalbaf published in other languages:

1. The Crystal Garden (English, French, Greec, Italy) Novel.
2. Hoze Sultan (Turkish) Long Story.
3. Death of Another (Kurdish, English, Urdu) Play.
4. A Fence Behind a Fence (Arabic, English) Play.
5. Gabbeh (English, French) Screenplay.
6. Three Pictures (Italian) Screenplay.
7. Beloveds of the Night (Italian, English) Short Story.
8. Maharajah (English) Screenplay.
9. An Introduction to Islamic Art (Arabic) Article.
10. Surgery on the Soul (English) Short Story.
11. The Door (English) Screenplay.
12. The Apple (English) Screenplay.
13. The Blackboard (English-Japanese) Screenplay.
14. The Day I Became a Woman (English) Screenplay.
15. Blessing of God’s Name (English) Screenplay.
16. Silence (English) Screenplay.
17. The Buddha Was Not Demolished in Afghanistan; It Collapsed Out of Shame (English, French, Greec, Korean, Portugaise, Russian, Italy, Japanese, Deutch...) Article.

Performance as an actor:

1. Marriage of The Blessed (By Mohsen Makhmalbaf) 1988.
2. Close-up (By Abbas Kiarostami) 1989.
3. Salam Cinema (By Mohsen Makhmalbaf) 1994.
4. A Moment of Innocence (By Mohsen Makhmalbaf) 1995.
5. The Testing Democracy (By Makhmalbaf ) 1999.
6. Joy Of Madness (Hana Makhmalbaf) 2003.

Set Design:

1. The Cyclist, 1987.
2. Gabbeh, 1995.
3. Silence, 1997.

Films: (Producer)

1. A Moment of Innocence, 1995.
2. Silence, 1997.
3. The Apple, 1997.
4. The Blackboard, 1999.
5. The Day I Became a Woman, 1999.
6. Kandehar, 2000.
7. Sex & Philosophy, 2005

As a Jury:

1- Locarno (Switzerland) 1994.

2- Sao Paulo (Brazil) 1995.

3- Torino (Italy) 1996.

4- Taormina (Italy) 1998.

5-Pusan (South Corea)1998.

6- Bahrein (Bahrein) 2000.

7- Singapore (Singapore) 2000.

8- Crala (India) 2001.

9- Osian's – Cinefan (India) 2004.

10- Dushanbeh (Tajikistan) 2004.

11- Clermont-ferrand (France) 2006.

12- Venice (Italy) 2006.

13- Europe Asia (Kazakhstan) 2006.

International Awards: (Films)

1. The Cyclist: Best Film - Rimini Festival (Italy) 1989.
2. The Cyclist: Best Film - Hawaii Festival (USA) 1991.
3. Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Best Film - Taormina Festival (Italy) 1992.
4. Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Best Film – Karlovy vary Festival (Czechoslovakia) 1992.
5. Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Best Film – Fiprachi Critics - Karlovy vary Festival (Czechoslovakia) 1992.
6.Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Best Director – Karlovy vary Festival (Czechoslovakia) 1992.
7. Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Special Jury Prize - Istanbul Festival (Turkey) 1993.
8. Collection of Works: Press Award – Sao Paulo Festival (Brazil) 1995.
9. Salam Cinema: Best Film – Munich Festival (Germany) 1996.

10. Gabbeh: Best Artistic Film – Tokyo Festival (Japan) 1996.
11. Gabbeh: One of 10 selected films by critics – Times (USA) 1996.
12. Gabbeh: Best Director – Sitguess Festival (Spain) 1996.
13. Gabbeh: Special Critics Award - Sitguess Festival (Spain) 1996.
14. Gabbeh: Best Asian Feature Film – Singapore Festival (Singapore) 1997.
15. A Moment of Innocence: Special Jury Award – Locarno Festival (Switzerland) 1996.
16. A Moment of Innocence: Youth Golden Award - Locarno Festival (Switzerland) 1996.
17. A Moment of Innocence: Among Top Ten Films of the Decade – Awarded by International Festival Directors and Critics 1999.
18. Silence: Golden Prize of Italian Parliament - Venice Festival (Italy) 1997.
19. Silence: Human, Art and Nature Award - Venice Festival (Italy) 1997.

20. Collection of Works: “Ville d'yssingeaux”, France 1998.
21. Marshall of Art and Literature, (France) 1998.
22. Kandahar: Grand prize from Society of churches of world, Cannes 2001 (France)
23. Kandahar: “Federico Fillini Honor” from UNESCO in Paris, 2001 (France)
24. Kandahar: The best movie from Ajaccio Film Festival, (France) 2001
25. Kandahar: "Public Prize" from Festival des Cinemas du Sud, (France) 2001
26. Kandahar:"Best Director Award" from Riga International Film Forum Arsenals,Latvia 2002
27. Thessaloniki 4th festival , Honorary Humanitarian Award (Greece) 2002
28. Collection of Works: “Francois Truffaut prize”, Giffoni Film Festival in Italy 2002.
29. The Afghan Alphabet:"Best Film Award"from Document ART International Film Festival, (Germany) 2002.

30. The 2003 Asian Filmmaker Award from Pusan Film Festival ,(South Korea) 2003.
31. One Of "The Best Hundred Films" Of History Of Cinema, Choosen By Times, (USA) , 2005
32. Kandahar: "Best Film" Fiprachi Critics From Thessaloniki (Greece) 2001
33. Sex & Philosophy,Tica Film Mediale International Film Festival, Italy,2005
34. Sergei Parajanov Awards for outstanding Artistic contribution to the world cinema, Yerevan Film Festival, Armenia, 2006
35. "Clermont-Ferrand Medallion", the city medallion granted to the legendary Mohsen Makhmalbaf , France, 2006.
36. Jury Special Mention Award for "Scream of the Ants" and life time achivement as a filmmaker, The Granada Film Festival CINES DEL SUR, Spain, 2007
37. "Golden Stag" award for life time achievement through his works and career as an outstanding artist, 37th Kyve (Molodist) International Film Festival, Ukraine 2007
38. "Alhambra" award for his artistic and humanitarian films, CINES DEL SUR International Film Festival, Spain, 2008

39- "Golden Dinosaur" award for establishment of Makhmalbaf film school ETIUDA&ANIMA International Film Festival, Poland, 2008
40- "Grand Human Right award" for his life time achievement and activity for human right through his art and actions from Nuremberg Human Right Film Festival, Germany, 2009
41- "Freedom to Create Prize" for his human right activity and promoting social Justice through his art, Art Action, England, 2009 (Mohsen Makhmalbaf dedicated his award to Grand Ayatollah Montazeri for his fight for human right and democracy in Iran)

Iranian Awards: (Films)

1. The Cyclist: Best Screenplay – Fajr Film Festival, 1988.
2. The Cyclist: Best Director – Fajr Film Festival, 1988.
3. The Cyclist: Set Design – Fajr Film Festival, 1988.
4. The Cyclist: Iranian Critics Award, 1990.
5. Marriage of The Blessed: Iranian Critics Award, 1990.
6. Once Upon a Time, Cinema: Best Editing – Fajr Film Festival, 1991.
7. Mohsen Makhmalbaf: Selected as the best filmmaker after the revolution by readers of cinema publications, 1988.

A Retrospective of Makhmalbaf’s Works: (International)

1. Iranian Film Festivals (France) 1989.
2. Rotterdam Festival (The Netherlands) 1989.
3. Hong Kong Festival (Hong Kong) 1991.
4. Bonn Cinémathèque (Germany) 1991.
5. La Rochelle Festival (France) 1991.
6. Tesaloniki Festival (Greece) 1995.
7. Sao Paulo Festival (Brazil) 1995.
8. Istanbul Festival (Turkey) 1996.
9. Turin Festival (Italy) 1996.
10. Singapore Festival (Singapore) 1996.
11. Chicago Festival (USA) 1996.
12. Beirut Festival (Lebanon) 1996.
13. India Festival (India) 1997.
14. Tokyo Festival (Japan) 1997.
15. The Netherlands Cinémathèque (The Netherlands) 1997.
16. Vienna Festival (Austria) 1997.
17. Cleveland Cinémathèque (USA) 1997.
18. UCLA (USA) 1997.
19. New York Museum of Modern Arts (USA) 1997.
20. Boston Museum of Modern Arts (USA) 1997.
21. Pacific Archives in Berkley (USA) 1997.
22. Vancouver Cinémathèque (Canada) 1997.
23. Toronto Cinémathèque (Canada) 1997.
24. Ontario Cinémathèque (Canada) 1997.
25. Montreal Cinémathèque (Canada) 1997.
26. Madras,Banglore,Viji Vada,Haydarabad , India 2001
27. Daka, Bangladesh 2002
28. Bosnia, 2002
29. Bulgaria, 2002
30. Munich International Film Festival, Germany 2006
31. Cine Del Sur International Film Festival, Spain 2008

Works That Were Banned: (In Iran)

1. Time of Love (From 1980 to present).
2. The Nights of Zayandeh-Rood (From 1980 to present).
3. A Moment of Innocence (From 1995 to 1997).
4. Silence (From 1997 to 2000).
5. Once Upon a Time, Cinema (From 1992 to 1993).
6. Testing Democracy (From 2000to present).
7. Afghan Alphabet (From 2001 to present).
8. Sex & Philosophy (From 2003 to present).
9. Amnesia (Script) (From 2003)