The Iranian film “Calm Man,” directed by Behnoush Sadeghi and produced by Mehdi Hashemi, held its press conference on Sunday, 30 November at Honar Shahr Aftab Cineplex in Shiraz. Screening in the Eastern Vista section of the 43rd Fajr International Film Festival, the film tells the story of Nobahar, a young Afghan immigrant forced into marriage with an elderly man, Zaman, who gradually reveals a turbulent past. As the story unfolds, Nobahar takes charge of her own destiny. The cast includes Mehdi Hashemi and Shamila Shirzad, with Mahnoush Sadeghi credited as the screenwriter.
Director Behnoush Sadeghi described the genesis of the project: “This is my second feature, made nine years after my sister Mahnoush wrote the script. Our visions aligned, and I wanted to tackle issues like child marriage and girls’ education, focusing on Afghanistan as an example, though similar realities exist in parts of Iran as well.”
Screenwriter Mahnoush Sadeghi added, “‘Calm Man’ began about five years ago, before the Taliban’s second takeover of Afghanistan. Educating children and girls may seem trivial globally, but in certain regions near us, it remains a dream. The film also emphasizes that even those with the darkest past can strive to create a new life. We follow a man with a very troubled history who eventually seeks a fresh start.”
Behnoush Sadeghi further explained the film’s universal themes: “The story isn’t only about girls’ education; it explores how people impact each other’s lives, a concept relevant worldwide. Child marriage and educational barriers exist in multiple countries, not just Iran or Afghanistan.”
Actors also shared their perspectives. Pouya Norouzi reflected, “Reading the script, I realized it was about a girl making a critical life choice. That drew me in. Filming required determination, and ‘Calm Man’ was completed under challenging production conditions.” He added, “The script evolved several times. We chose the Dari dialect from Kabul for authenticity, which required intensive training under Ms. Sadeghi’s guidance.”
Bita Aziz said, “I am glad to be part of this film. It conveys an important message, and I hope its impact reaches audiences, even subconsciously. In both execution and theme, this is a distinctly female-centric film.”
Behnoush Sadeghi also highlighted the film’s visual approach: “From the start, we aimed for beautiful compositions. The film is slightly symbolic; our style is not realistic and documentary-like, and we focused on visually striking frames.”
Mahnoush Sadeghi concluded, “Some people wish to leave the world quickly, yet those who do often have nothing left to contribute. Our film touches on this very issue.”
The 43rd Fajr International Film Festival is currently taking place in Shiraz, from November 26 to December 3, 2025, bringing together filmmakers, critics, and audiences from around the world.
