Personal details
Born:
- Birthday: 1980-12-08
- Born Place: Teheran, Iran
Soheila Golestani
Soheila Golestani, born on December 8, 1980, in Tehran, Iran, is a distinguished Iranian actress and director. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Theatre from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University, which laid the groundwork for her extensive career in both stage and screen. Golestani has appeared in numerous films, including "Today" (2014), "We Have a Guest" (2014), and "Buffalo" (2015). In 2015, she made her directorial debut with the film "Two," which she also wrote.Her most recent and highly notable role is as Najmeh, the wife of the protagonist, in Mohammad Rasoulof's 2024 film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig." The film, shot in secret and critical of the Iranian government, has brought Golestani significant international attention. However, her involvement in the film and her public support for the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests in Iran, including appearing without a headscarf in a social media video with other artists, have led to severe repercussions. Unlike some of her co-stars and the director who managed to flee Iran, Soheila Golestani remains in Iran and faces charges of "spreading corruption on earth and propaganda against the regime," a sentence that includes 74 lashes and a year in prison. This situation has prevented her from attending international film festivals, including Cannes, where "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" received widespread acclaim and awards. She was also barred from serving on the Tiger Competition jury at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. Despite the immense pressure and legal challenges, Golestani continues to be a prominent voice and figure in Iranian cinema.
