Iranian Directors: From Best to Worst
by redbear_8968 | created - 26 Nov 2021 | updated - 28 Mar 2023 | PublicBased on the Movies I have Seen
P.S: The Scores are Out of 10
1. Rakhshan Banietemad
Director | Zir-e poost-e shahr
Graduated in the field of film directing from The Faculty of Dramatic Arts and joined the Iranian TV in 1973 beginning her career as continuity girl and assistant director. Later on, she made a number of short documentaries and directed her first picture 'Kharej az Mahdudeh (1986)'. Her next films ...
Tales (2011) : 10
Under The City's Skin (2001) : 9.5
Khoon-Bazi (2006) : 8.5
Total Score : 9.33
2. Bahman Farmanara
Director | Booye kafoor, atre yas
Bahman Farmanara is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and film producer. Bahman Farmanara is the second son in a family of four brothers and one sister. The family business was Textile and he was the only son who did not join the business and went off to United Kingdom and later on to United ...
The House Built on The Water (2002) : 10
Khake Ashna (2008) : 8.5
Total Score : 9.25
3. Saeed Roustayi
Writer | Baradaran-e Leila
Saeed Roustayi (born 14 August 1989) is an Iranian film director and screenwriter. He graduated from Soore University with a Bachelor of Film and Television in Directing. Life+1 Day is his first major cinematic work. At the Fajr International Film Festival, Roustayi won 2 Crystal Simorghs for best ...
Leila's Brothers (2022) : 9.5
Just 6.5 (2019) : 9
Life and a Day (2016) : 9
Total Score : 9.16
4. Davood Mir-Bagheri
Director | Dandoon tala
Davood Mir-Bagheri is known for Gold Tooth (2016), Traveller of Rey (2001) and Snowman (1995).
The Snowman (1995) : 9
Mokhtarnameh (2010) : 9
Total Score : 9
5. Ali Hatami
Director | Hezardastan
Abbas Ali Hatami was born in Tehran, Iran in 1944. He graduated from the College of Dramatic Arts and began his professional career as a writer of short TV screenplays and also as a playwright. Among his plays are: The Demon and the Bald Hassan, Adam and Eve, The Fisherman's Story, City of Oranges,...
Mother (1990) : 9
Haji Washington (1983) : 8
Toughi (1970) : 8
Total Score : 8.3
6. Mehran Modiri
Director | Pavarchin
Mehran Modiri is considered to be the leading artist in social satire in Iran. His various series which have been broadcast through IRIB have set records in terms of viewership (an estimated 85% viewership when he is on air), as well as make him a popular personality among masses. In 2008 Modiri ...
Shabhaye Barareh (2005) : 10
Shookhi Kardam (2013) : 9
The Man with a Thousand Faces (2008) : 8.5
Pavarchin (2002) : 8.5
Bitter Coffee (2010) : 8
5 In The Evening (2017) : 7.5
Baghe Mozaffar (2006) : 6.5
Total Score : 8.2
7. Rasool Mollagholi Poor
Director | Parvaz dar shab
Rasool Mollagholi Poor was born in 1955 in Tehran, Iran. He was a director and writer, known for The Flight in the Night (1987), Hiva (1999) and The Possessed (1990). He died on March 5, 2007 in Nowshahr, Iran.
M Like Mother (2006) : 8
Gharche Sammi (2002) : 8
Total Score : 8
8. Farzad Motamen
Director | Khodahafezi Toolani
Farzad Motamen is known for The Long Farewell (2015), White Nights (2003) and When Did You See Sahar Last Time? (2016).
Shabhaye Roshan (2003) : 10
Sedaha (2009) : 8
The Long Farewell (2015) : 7
Poopak and Mash Mashalla (2010) : 6.5
Total Score : 7.87
9. Ebrahim Irajzad
Director | Tabestan-e Dagh
Ebrahim Irajzad was born on July 19, 1981 in Iran. He is a director and actor, known for Searing Summer (2017), Killer Spider (2020) and The Woman with a Necklace (2013).
Spider (2020) : 8.5
Hot Summer (2017) : 7
Total Score : 7.75 / 10
10. Reza Mirkarimi
Producer | Be hamin sadegi
Reza Mirkarimi was born in 1967 in Tehran and graduated from the Fine Arts University in Graphic Arts. His cinema activities began in 1987 with a series of shorts followed by two TV series aimed at young people. His 1999 first feature, 'The Child and The Soldier', has won several national and ...
So Close, So Far (2005) : 9
Under the Moonlight (2001) : 9
Today (2014) : 7
A Cube of Sugar (2011) : 7
As Simple as That (2008) : 6.5
Total Score : 7.7
11. Abdolreza Kahani
Director | Bist
Abdolreza Kahani is an award-wining Iranian director. He has a Master of Art in theatre from the University of Tehran. Kahani's career began by making experimental short films and documentaries at the age of thirteen. His first feature film "Dance with the Moon" was debuted in 2004. Kahani created ...
Absolute Rest (2015) : 10
Nothing (2010) : 8.5
Absolutely Tame Is a Horse (2011) : 8
Needlessly and Causelessly (2012) : 4.5
Total Score : 7.7
12. Alireza Davoudnejad
Writer | Niaz
Alireza Davoudnejad was born in 1954 in Tehran, Iran. He is a writer and director, known for The Need (1992), The Disarmament (1993) and Sweet Agony (1999).
Actors Studio (2013) : 9
Salve (2010) : 7.5
Bad Kids (2000) : 7.5
Ferrari (2017) : 7
The House of Spider (1983) : 7
Total Score : 7.6
13. Hamid Nematollah
Director | Sholevar
Hamid Nematollah is known for Flaming (2018), Boutique (2004) and Subdued (2017).
Boutique (2004) : 10
Hard Makeup (2014) : 7
Penniless (2009) : 6
Total Score : 7.6
14. Jafar Panahi
Director | Taxi
Jafar Panahi (Born 11 July 1960) is an Iranian film director, screenwriter, and film editor, commonly identified with the Iranian New Wave film movement. After several years of making short films and working as an assistant director for fellow Iranian film-maker Abbas Kiarostami, Panahi achieved ...
Offside (2006) : 9.5
Crimson Gold (2003) : 9
Taxi (2015) : 7.5
The White Balloon (1995) : 7
The Circle (2000) : 7
The Mirror (1997) : 5.5
Total Score : 7.58
15. Fereydoun Jeyrani
Writer | Khafegi
Fereydoun Jeyrani is known for Asphyxia (2017), Red (1999) and The Last Supper (2002).
Red (1999) : 10
The Last Supper (2002) : 10
Asphyxia (2017) : 8
I Am A Mother (2012) : 7
Fairy Tale (2011) : 7
Water and Fire (2001) : 7
Parkway (2007) : 6.5
Dreamy (2014) : 5
Total Score : 7.56
16. Behrouz Shoaybi
Director | Dehliz
Behrouz Shoaybi is known for The Corridor (2013), Axing (2018) and No Prior Appointment (2022).
Cyanide (2016) : 8
The Corridor (2013) : 7
Total Score : 7.5
17. Majid Majidi
Writer | Bacheha-Ye aseman
Majid Majidi was born on April 17, 1959 in Tehran, Iran to a middle class family. He started acting in amateur theater groups at the age of fourteen. After receiving his high school diploma, he started studying art at the Institute of Dramatic Art in Tehran. After the Islamic Revolution of 1979, ...
Children of Heaven (1997) : 10
The Color of Paradise (1999) : 6
The Willow Tree (2005) : 6
Total Score : 7.33
18. Hasan Fathi
Director | Shahrzad
Hasan Fathi is known for Shahrzad (2015), Jeyran (2022) and The Postman Doesn't Knock 3 Times (2009).
Zero Degree Turn (2007) : 8
Forbidden Fruit (2008) : 8
Keyfar (2010) : 7
Postchi se bar dar nemizanad : 6.5
Zamaneh (2013) : 6.5
Total Score : 7.2
19. Dariush Mehrjui
Director | Gaav
Dariush Mehrjui was born to a middle-class family in Tehran. He showed interest in painting miniatures, music, and playing santoor and piano. He spent a lot of time going to the movies, particularly American films which were un-dubbed and inter-spliced with explanatory title cards that explained ...
The Tenants (1987) : 8.5
The Cow (1969) : 8
Mr. Gullible (1970) : 8
Hamoun (1990) : 7.5
The Music Man (2007) : 7.5
Mom's Guest (2004) : 7.5
Leila (1997) : 7
Orange Suit (2012) : 3.5
Total Score : 7.18
20. Masud Kimiai
Director | Dandan-e-mar
Massoud Kimiaei was born in Tehran in 1941. He became well known when in 1969 he directed his second film, Gheisar (1969), which was considered a turning point in the Iranian cinema; he depicted the ethics and morals of the romanticized poor working class of the Croesus' Treasure (1965) genre ...
Gheisar (1969) : 10
Reza, The Motorcyclist (1970) : 8
The Deer (1974) : 7.5
The Feast (1996) : 6.5
Soltan (1997) : 6.5
Protest (2000) : 4
Total Score : 7.08
21. Bahram Tavakoli
Writer | Man Diego Maradona hastam
Bahram Tavakoli is an Iranian film director. Winning numerous awards, he is a well-established filmmaker of the new generation of Iranian cinema. One of his most successful works is 'Here without Me (2011). It is a breathtaking adaptation of Tennessee Williams 'The Glass Menagerie' which was not ...
Here Without Me (2011) : 10
A Walk in the Fog (2010) : 7.5
Barefoot in Paradise (2007) : 7
Shallow Yellow Sky (2013) : 6.5
The Stranger (2014) : 4
Total Score : 7
22. Bahram Beyzaie
Writer | Sagkoshi
Bahram Beizai started skipping school from around the age of 17 in order to go to movies which were becoming popular in Iran at a rapid pace. This only fed his hunger to learn more about cinema and the visual arts. By 1961 he had already spent a lot of time studying-and researching- ancient persian...
Killing Mad Dogs (2001) : 9
Bashu, the Little Stranger (1989) : 8
When We Are All Sleep (2009) : 4
Total Score : 7
23. Behruz Afkhami
Director | Azar, Shahdokht, Parviz va digaran
Behruz Afkhami was born in 1956 in Tehran, Iran. He is a director and writer, known for Azar, Shahdokht, Parviz and Others (2014), The River's End (2003) and The Morning of the Execution (2024).
Shokaran (1999) : 10
The Bride (1991) : 8
Saint Petersburg (2010) : 6.5
The River's End (2003) : 6.5
Azar, Shahdokht, Parviz and Others (2014) : 3
Total Score : 6.8
24. Ali Ahmadzadeh
Director | Mantagheye bohrani
Ali Ahmadzadeh is known for Critical Zone (2023), Kami's Party (2013) and Atomic Heart Mother (2015).
Atomic Heart Mother (2015) : 7.5
Kami's Party (2013) : 6
Total Score : 6.75
25. Mohamad Reza Honarmand
Director | Didar
Mohamad Reza Honarmand is known for The Visit (1995), The Changed Man (1998) and Azizam, Man Kook Nistam (2002).
The Changed Man (1998) : 7
The Mummy 3 (2000) : 7
The Visit (1995) : 6.5
Azizam, Man Kook Nistam (2002) : 6
Total Score : 6.62
26. Abolhassan Davoodi
Director | Rokhe Divaneh
Abolhassan Davoodi is known for Crazy Rook (2015), Motherland (2009) and Pickpockets Don't Go to Heaven (1992).
Crazy Rook (2015) : 8.5
Nan, Eshgh va Motor 1000 : 7.5
Crossroads (2006) : 4
Total Score : 6.6
27. Hatef Alimardani
Director | Columbus
Hatef Alimardani is known for Columbus (2018), The Nameless Alley (2015) and Dying in September (2014).
The Nameless Alley (2015) : 7.5
For Pooneh's Sake (2013) : 7.5
Abba Jaan (2017) : 7
7 Months Pregnant (2016) : 6
Dying in September (2014) : 6
Columbus (2018) : 5.5
Total Score : 6.58
28. Ebrahim Hatamikia
Director | Be name pedar
Ebrahim Hatamikia, who is internationally renowned for his role in the cinema of Iran in the 1990s, was born in 1961 in Tehran, Iran from an Azarbaijani's family. He left the Art University where he studied script writing. He began his directing career with the film "The Identity" in 1986 and some ...
The Glass Agency (1998) : 9
Low Heights (2002) : 8
From Karkheh to Rhein (1993) : 8
The Scent of Joseph's Shirt (1995) : 7
In the Name of the Father (2006) : 6.5
Dead Wave (2001) : 6
The Red Ribbon (1999) : 4
Bodyguard (2016) : 3.5
Total Score : 6.5
29. Mani Haghighi
Actor | Paziraie sadeh
Mani Haghighi is an Iranian film director, writer, film producer, and actor. Haghighi started making movies in 2001.
Haghighi was educated in Iran and, from the age of 15, Appleby College in Canada. He took a BA in philosophy at McGill University in Montréal, where he studied under Charles Taylor ...
Pig (2018) : 8.5
Modest Reception (2012) : 8
Canaan (2008) : 7.5
50 Kilos of Sour Cherries (2016) : 2
Total Score : 6.5 / 10
30. Ahmad Reza Darvish
Director | Duel
Ahmad Reza Darvish is known for Duel (2004), Hussein, Who Said No (2014) and Lucifer (1991).
Kimia (1995) : 7.5
Motevalede Mahe Mehr (2000) : 6.5
Duel (2004) : 5.5
Total Score : 6.5
31. Saman Moghadam
Director | Nahang e Anbar
Saman Moghadam was born in Tehran, Iran on 6th of January, 1969. He became interested in filmmaking and storytelling in his teens, and continued to follow up on his dream of becoming a filmmaker after graduating high school. He studied filmmaking at the Cinematic Educational Complex in Tehran. ...
The Party (2001) : 7.5
Cafe Setareh (2006) : 7
Maxx (2005) : 7
Sperm Whale (2015) : 6.5
Sperm Whale: Roya's Selection (2017) : 4
Total Score : 6.4
32. Ghasem Jafari
Director | Dokhtaran
Ghasem Jafari is known for Girls (2009), In Love with Leily (2008) and Twilight (2007).
Passenger from India (2004) : 8.5
Red Line (2002) : 7.5
Twilight (2007) : 3
Total Score : 6.3
33. Kazem Rast Goftar
Director | Chek
Kazem Rast Goftar is known for Cheque (2012), The Lucky Bride (2002) and Mask (2005).
Mask (2005) : 7.5
Cheque (2012) : 7
Pesar Tehrani (2009) : 5
Zanane Venusi, Mardane Merikhi (2011) : 5
Total Score : 6.12
34. Mostafa Kiaei
Director | Hamgonah
Mostafa Kiaei is known for The Accomplice (2020), Bulletproof (2012) and Ice Age (2015).
Special Line (2014) : 7.5
Ice Age (2015) : 7.5
Barcode (2016) : 7
The Singer (2019) : 4.5
A Very Dog Day Afternoon (2010) : 4
Total Score : 6.1
35. Rouhollah Hejazi
Director | Otaghe Tarik
Rouhollah Hejazi is known for The Dark Room (2018), Among the Clouds (2008) and Death of the Fish (2015).
The Wedlock (2014) : 9
The Private Life of Mr. & Mrs. M (2012) : 3
Total Score : 6
36. Reza Dormishian
Producer | Asabani Nistam!
Reza Dormishian was born in Tehran, Iran in 1981. At a young age, he was drawn to the world of cinema. In 1997 he started writing as a film critic for several newspapers and later as executive editor for cinema books and magazines. He also worked as a screen writer. Dormishian had several ...
Lantouri (2016) : 9
Hatred (2012) : 3
Total Score : 6
37. Maziar Miri
Director | Gradually
He, Maziar Miri, was born on 1 February 1974 in Darband neighborhood in Tehran.
He graduated in Film Editing, and started working in Editing Dept of Channel 2 IRIB in 1995. After making a few short films, working as an assistant in the cinema, and editing a few films and serials, He made His first ...
Felicity Land (2011) : 8.5
Sara and Aida (2017) : 6.5
The Painting Pool (2013) : 4
The Book of Law (2009) : 4
Total Score : 5.75
38. Kamal Tabrizi
Director | Marmoulak
Kamal Mosaffa-ye Tabrizi is an Iranian film director. He was born in Tehran, with his parents having moved there from Tabriz. Kamal Tabrizi graduated from Tehran University of Art at Faculty of Cinema and Theater. He began his career with directing, writing and editing short films in 1980. His ...
The Lizard (2004) : 10
Leily Is with Me (1996) : 7.5
A Mother's Love (1998) : 7
Az Raeesjomhoor Padash Nagirid (2009) : 6.5
Sly (2018) : 5
Sensitive Floor (2014) : 2.5
Mina's Choice (2016) : 0
Total Score : 5.5
39. Parviz Shahbazi
Writer | Nafas-e amigh
Parviz Shahbazi is a highly acclaimed Iranian filmmaker renowned for his independent films that prominently delve into social issues and the interplay between diverse generations. His cinematic journey has led him to grace some of the most prestigious film festivals worldwide, including the Cannes,...
Deep Breath (2003) : 6.5
Trapped (2013) : 4
Total Score : 5.25
40. Asghar Farhadi
Writer | Forooshande
Asghar Farhadi was born in 1972 in Iran. He became interested in cinema in his teenage years and started his filmmaking education by joining the Youth Cinema Society of Esfahan in 1986 where he made 8mm and 16mm short films. He received his Bachelors in Theater from University of Tehran's School of...
Fireworks Wednesday (2006) : 8.5
About Elly (2009) : 8
The Salesman (2016) : 6.5
Dancing In The Dust (2003) : 5
Beautiful City : 5
The Past (2013) : 2.5
A Separation (2011) : 1.5
Total Score : 5.28
41. Pouran Derakhshandeh
Director | Hiss Dokhtarha Faryad Nemizanand
Pouran Derakhshandeh was born in 1951 in Iran. She is a director and producer, known for Hush! Girls Don't Scream (2013), Under the Smoky Roof (2017) and Little Bird of Happiness (1988).
A Candle in the Wind (2004) : 6
The Wet Dream (2006) : 5
Endless Dreams (2009) : 4
Hush! Girls Don't Scream (2013) : 4
Total Score : 4.75
42. Saeed Soheili
Director | Chahar-angoshti
Saeed Soheili is known for Four Fingered (2007), Pig Gene (2019) and Marriage in the Extra Time (2010).
Gasht-e ershad 2 (2017) : 7
Gasht-e ershad 1 (2012) : 6
Kalashnikov (2014) : 5
Pig Gene (2019) : 5
Chahar Changooli (2008) : 1.5
Marriage in the Extra Time (2010) : 1.5
Total Score : 4.33
43. Mohammad Hadi Karimi
Writer | Comedy Ensani
Mohammad Hadi Karimi is known for The Human Comedy (2017), Maral (2001) and Filicide (2020).
Snow on a Hot Tin Roof (2011) : 6.5
Annunciation to a Third Millennium Citizen (2013) : 3
Total Score : 4.7
44. Bahman Ghobadi
Director | Lakposhtha parvaz mikonand
Bahman Ghobadi was born in 1969 in Baneh, in the province of Iranian Kurdistan, near the Iran-Iraq border. Shortly after graduating from the National Audiovisual School, he made his first short, immediately acclaimed by the local critics. One of these short films, "Life in Fog" (1999) is even ...
No One Knows About Persian Cats (2009) : 5.5
Rhino Season (2012) : 3
Total Score : 4.25 / 10
45. Tahmineh Milani
Writer | Nimeye Penhan
Tahmineh Milani (born 1 September 1960) is a professional film director, screenwriter, and producer who came to the limelight by breaking all the traditional and conventional norms about women and their presence in Iran's society. Being sentenced to prison have not stopped her from expressing their...
Two Women (1999) : 9
The Fifth Reaction (2003) : 7
What's Up? (1992) : 7
Superstar (2009) : 3
Cease Fire (2006) : 3
Payback (2010) : 0.5
Cease Fire 2 (2014) : 0.5
Total Score : 4.2 / 10
46. Rambod Javan
Director | Negar
Rambod Javan is known for Negar (2017), The Sinners (2012) and Gold (2019). He has been married to Negar Javaherian since 2014. He was previously married to Sahar Dolatshahi and Mandana Rouhi.
No Men Allowed (2011) : 7
Son of Adam Daughter of Eve (2010) : 4
Spaghetti in 8 Minutes (2005) : 0.5
Total Score : 3.83
47. Mohammad Hossein Latifi
Director | Rooze Sevom
Mohammad Hossein Latifi is known for The Third Day (2007), Unknown (2023) and Wednesday, May 9 (2015).
The Third Day (2007) : 6
Girl's Dormitory (2004) : 4
Tofigh-e Ejbari (2007) : 0.5
Total Score : 3.5 / 10
48. Manouchehr Hadi
Director | Kargar sadeh niazmandim
Manouchehr Hadi is known for Simple Worker Needed (2017), Deldadegan (2018) and Quarantine (2008).
Quarantine (2008) : 5
Someone Wants to Talk with You (2012) : 5
I'm not Salvador (2016) : 3
Wing Mirror (2017) : 1
Total Score : 3.5 / 10
49. Masoud Atyabi
Director | Texas
Masoud Atyabi is known for Texas (2018), Father's Secrets (2014) and Solitary (2022).
Khoroos Jangi (2009) : 3.5
Texas (2018) : 3
Mind Your Manners (2011) : 0
Total Score : 2.16
50. Arash Moayerian
Director | Khaltoor
Arash Moayerian is known for The Potboiler (2017), The Charlatan (2005) and The Redtails (2018).
Coma (2004) : 6
Milk and Honey (2010) : 2.5
The Charlatan (2005) : 0.5
Chap Dast (2006) : 0.5
Khaltoor (2017) : 0.5
Total Score : 2
51. Masoud Dehnamaki
Director | Deportees 3
Masoud Dehnamaki is an Iranian filmmaker , holding numerous box-office records .
Dehnamaki says that he was a member of the decimated army that liberated Khoramshahr in 1982 - a decisive turning point in Iran-Iraq war . In his interview to CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour , he said that the war...
Ekhrajiha 1 (2007) : 3.5
Ekhrajiha 2 (2009) : 0
Ekhrajiha 3 (2011) : 0
Scandal (2013) : 0
Total Score : 0.87 / 10
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