Shabnam Moghaddami

Shabnam Moghaddami ( (born March 23, 1972) is an Iranian actress and narrator who has been recognized with various accolades, including Crystal Simorgh and Hafez Awards. Over the course of her three-decade career, she has made notable contributions to the fields of theater, cinema, television, radio, and audiobooks. Moghaddami has earned a respected status as a prolific figure within the Iranian cinema and entertainment industry. Since the 2010s, she has garnered attention and appreciation from both film critics and audiences.

Moghaddami's professional journey commenced in the 1990s, primarily focusing on theater. According to critical reviews, she is recognized for her skill in portraying characters with depth and bringing out various aspects of their personalities convincingly. Her versatility as an actress is evident in the diverse range of roles she has undertaken, spanning across genres such as comedy, drama, and historical productions. Moreover, she has showcased her adaptability to various mediums, including theater, cinema, television, and radio.

Throughout her career, Moghaddami has been recognized with approximately twenty award nominations and has earned over ten acting awards for her contributions to the industry. She has gained extensive experience in radio and has portrayed roles in numerous films and television series. Additionally, she continues to be actively involved in theater, demonstrating her dedication and commitment to her craft.

Childhood and education
Shabnam Moghaddami was born on March 23, 1972, in Tehran, into a family with a background in culture, art, and literature. Her father was an electrical engineer, and her mother was a high-ranking employee at University of Tehran. Moghaddami also has a younger brother named Behnam. In 2004, she married Alireza Ara, who remains her life partner to this day.

From an early age, she enrolled in acting classes and became acquainted with the Children's Radio Group during her high school. She also had some scattered experiences in acting. However, Moghaddami completed her secondary education in experimental sciences and graduated from university with a bachelor's degree in Persian literature.

Nonetheless, her passion for acting led her to participate in a screenwriting school of The Artistic Sect of the Islamic Republic under the supervision of renowned instructors. Afterward, she embarked on a new chapter in her life by taking acting courses at Amin Tarokh Acting School.

Theatre
Shabnam Moghaddami commenced her professional theater career in the late-1990s when she became a member of the "Shaya Theater Group." Her debut in the play "The Paper House," directed by Shahram Karami, marked the beginning of her theatrical journey. Since then, Moghaddami has been involved in a diverse range of theatrical productions, both in leading and supporting roles.Her repertoire spans classical and modern plays, as well as portrayals of characters from national and international literary works. Her performances have been featured in both national and international festivals, solidifying her reputation as a theater artist. Over the course of her career, she has collaborated with famous directors such as Hamid Amjad, Mohammad Rahmanian, Mas'oud Rayegan, and Keyumars Moradi.

Her contributions to the theater have earned her numerous nominations and awards, including being recognized as the Best Actress at the Third Actor Celebration of Iran's Theater Forum in 2006, and as the best actress in the actress's section at the Sixth Actors Celebration of the Association of Iran's Theater Forum. Some of her notable performances include " pilgrim," "The Bridge," "Without Milk and Sugar," "Silence is My Heritage," "Terminal, " "Death Garden," "Letters to Teb," "Merciless Killer, Hesse Karlson," "East is East!" "Tunnel", and "My seagull."

Radio
Moghaddami has also been actively involved in the field of radio alongside her theater career. She has worked as a presenter and actress in various radio programs. Her academic background in Persian literature have made her particularly adept at hosting literary shows. She has contributed to radio stations such as Radio Javan, Radio Iran, and Radio Farhang. Some of her well-known radio programs include "Haft Shanbe" (Seven Saturdays), "Seshanbe Khat-Khati" (Crossword Tuesday) "Sedaye Ebrat" (Voice of Wisdom), and "Haft Taraneh" (Seven Songs), which have gained popularity among radio audiences in Iran. Furthermore, Moghaddami has collaborated with "Radio Sevina" (Special Cinema for the Visually Impaired) as well.

Screen
Shabnam Moghaddami's involvement in cinema began in the late 1990’s, with her debut in Kamran Qadakchian's film "Zakhmi"(injured). However, it was her role in Ebrahim Hatamikia's “be name pedar” (In the Name of the Father) that garnered serious attention and showcased her acting abilities paving the way for more challenging roles in her career. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with well known directors such as Asghar Farhadi, Iraj Karimi, Cyrus Moghaddam, Reza Mirkarimi, Maziar Miri, Hamid Amjad, Jafar Panahi, Ebrahim Hatamikia, Kamal Tabrizi, Saeed Roustayi, and Abbas Kiarostami.

Moghaddami receives praise from critics for her versatility as an actress. She seamlessly transitions between various genres, encompassing drama, comedy, historical productions, and more. As a result of her skillful performances, she has earned numerous accolades and recognition within the industry. She has received two Crystal Simorgh Awards that recognize her achievements in the film industry. Additionally, she has been honored with several awards and expressions of appreciation from the Association of Iranian Film Critics and Writers, contributing to her reputation as a talented and accomplished actress. Additionally, she holds a permanent membership in the Actors Association within the Iranian Alliance of Motion Picture (the House of Cinema).

Some of her notable film credits include "farsh-e Irani" (Iranian Carpet), "Gozaresh-e Yek Jashn" (A Report of a Feast), "Padash-e Sokoot" (The Reward of Silence), "Farzande Khak" (Child of the Earth), "Hamishe Paye Yek Zan Dar Miyan Ast" (There is Always a Woman in Between), "Koodak va Fereshteh" (Child and Angel), "Zir-e Aab" (The House Under the Water), "Emrooz" (Today), "Nafas" (Breath), "Zapas"(Spare) "Abad va Yek Rooz" (Life and a Day), "Abajan," "Khejalat Nakesh" (Don't Be Embarrassed), "Shabi Ke Mah Kamel Shod" (When the Moon Was Full), and "Shirin".

Television
After acquiring experience in the film industry, Shabnam Moghaddami made a return to television in the 2000s. In 2006, she starred in the popular series "Zir-e Tigh" (Under the Blade), alongside famous actors such as Parviz Parastui, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, and Attila Pesiani. She also appeared in the television series "Pas Az Salha" (After Years) in 2008. In 2014, following her first Crystal Simorgh award, Moghaddami shifted her focus to television and took on leading roles in three series. She appeared in the series "Haft Sang" and "Madineh" for national television, as well as the series "Ablah"(The fool) directed by Kamal Tabrizi for Home video Streaming Network.

Moghaddami showcased her talent and versatility on television, receiving multiple Hafez Awards for her performances in comedy and drama genres.Additionally, she was honored with an award from the Jam-e-Jam Television Festival for her contributions to the small screen. Notable among her television series are "Hauola" (The Monster), "Khatun"(Once Upon a Time in Iran) "Bigonah" (Innocent), "Mardom-e Mamooli" (Ordinary People), and "Shabakeh-e Makhfi-ye Zanan" (Women's Secret Network).

Voice acting
With years of experience in radio and a background in radio drama, Shabnam Moghaddami has built a strong portfolio in the field of voice acting. In the television series "Yeki Bud, Yeki Nabud" directed by Reza Fayazi and produced in 2005, she lent her voice to one of the puppet characters. Additionally, in the third episode of the four-part animated series "Namha" directed by Reza Mir-Karimi, she provided the voice for the character Parvin Da'ipour, the wife of Hassan Bagheri.

In recent years, Moghaddami has expanded her activities in this field. She has lent her voice to the audio versions of prominent works such as "Cheraghha Ra Man Khamoosh Mikonam"(I Turn Off the Lights) by Zoya Pirzad and "Ghesseha-ye Sheikh Attar" (Sheikh Attar's Stories) by Mehdi Azar Yazdi (from the collection of Good Stories for Good Children). Furthermore, she has performed Persian voice-overs for the classic film "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell, directed by Victor Fleming, and the film "Delshodegan" (Love-stricken) directed by Ali Hatami, specifically for Radio Sevina (Special Cinema for the Visually Impaired), which presents two memorable classic films each month with commentary by artists.

Breakthrough and rise to prominence
Despite Shabnam Moghaddami's continuous presence on the theater stage and receiving awards in this medium during the 2000s, The 2010s can be considered the pinnacle of her career.In 2014, she achieved her breakthrough and rose to prominence by receiving her first Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actress in the film "Today" at the 32nd Fajr Film Festival. This marked a significant turning point in her career, attracting attention and establishing her as a talented actress in the film industry.

Her success continued in 2016 when she received her second Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actress for her performances in both films "breath" and "spare" at the 34th Fajr Film Festival.

In subsequent years, Moghaddami's contributions to the film industry were consistently recognized through nominations and awards. She earned a Crystal Simorgh nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Abajan" at the 35th Fajr Film Festival in 2017. Additionally, she received a nomination for Best leading Actress for her portrayal in the movie "Khejalat Nakesh" (Don't Be Embarrassed) in 2018.

Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Shabnam Moghaddami, also known as the "Lady of a Thousand Faces" in Iranian cinema, consistently garnered critical acclaim with her roles and performances. Her talent and contributions to the film industry were widely acknowledged and celebrated by prestigious organizations, including the Association of Iranian Film Critics and Writers. She received multiple nominations and awards from this organization for her performances in films such as "life and a Day," "Today," "Don't Be Embarrassed," "Abajan," and "When the Moon Was Full."

Shabnam Moghaddami's performances, awards, and accolades have established her as a prominent and influential figure in Iranian cinema. Her commitment to her craft and skill in portraying characters with depth and authenticity serve as an inspiration to aspiring actors in the country.

Philanthropic and social engagement
In addition to her acting endeavors, Moghaddami actively engages in social and philanthropic activities. She is among the artists who have utilized the medium of Staged readings to support underprivileged women, children with cancer, and earthquake survivors. As a member of the Barakat Charity Foundation, she contributes to the organization's efforts to provide Staged readings for those in need.

She also has delivered a TED Talk (TEDx), where she openly shares her personal and challenging experiences, offering guidance to others facing similar obstacles. Her speeches aim to inspire hope and assist in finding a meaningful path in life.

Furthermore, she leverages her platform to raise awareness about significant social issues, utilizing her voice to inform the public. For instance, she is among the artists and cineastes who expressed their sympathy over the tragic deaths of passengers aboard a Ukrainian jetliner in posts published on social networks.

Controversies
Moghaddami has faced controversies throughout her career. For instance, in 2021, during an appearance on the program "Hamrafigh," her spontaneous proposal to collaborate with the music group "Bomrani" and sing with them generated a significant reaction. Consequently, her appearance was unexpectedly removed from the Naava platform without explanation.

Additionally, in 2022, fifteen Iranian female actresses, including Shabnam Moghaddami, were the subject of a complaint filed by seminarians in Qom. The actresses were accused of violating public decency due to their attire in public spaces, gatherings, and personal Instagram pages. The complaint triggered extensive discussions on social media and in the press. Ultimately, the judiciary declared the complaint invalid and issued a non-prosecution order for the actresses involved.