Mohammad Ali Talebi

Born in 1959, Mohammad Ali Talebi graduated in cinema from Tehran University’s College of Dramatic Arts. He began his artistic career in 1977 as a TV assistant director and a documentary director. He has directed 11 feature films since 1985, receiving many awards from international film festivals including Iran Cinema Celebration, Fajr, India, Rennes (France), Olympia (Greece) and Lucas (Frankfurt).  

Talebi’s deep and probing gaze explores the lives of teenage heroes and the hidden corners in the lives of young adults in the society. He uses the reality of our society in his films, dramatizing it to create a gripping storyline for his audience. Talebi’s unique perspective has made memorable scenes from the lives of children and young adults and all the worries and concerns of their age. He says: “The characters of ‘The Wall’ are the grown characters of ‘The Boot’ and ‘Tick Tack’. I see no difference between them. The way I see it, it is the little girl in ‘The Boot’ who is now all grown up and riding a motorbike. I always work in progressive steps. In each of my films, I consider my potentials and the potentials of cinema in Iran, and I try to take one step further, overcome my weak points, pick up and settle on a certain line and follow it ahead, step by step.”