Bijan Daneshmand Stars in the Upcoming Comedy-drama 'The Persian Version'
June 21, 2023
LOS ANGELES – Actor Bijan Daneshmand stars in “The Persian Version,” the upcoming feature film from Sony Pictures Classics and writer/director Maryam Keshavarz (“Circumstance”).
“I’m grateful to be a part of such an engaging film that features an amazing cast and a talented team of professionals,” Daneshmand said. “Maryam is one of those directors that knows what she wants, but is also able to listen, explain and sometimes be welcoming to any suggestions or input by the actors.”
The new comedy drama, which earned the Audience Award and the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at the 2023 Sundance International Film Festival, is set for release in September. It tells the story of a large Iranian-American family that gathers for a celebration when a family secret is uncovered. The incident catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past, only to discover that they are more alike than they know. The cast includes Layla Mohammadi (“The Sex Lives of College Girls”), Niousha Noor (“Kaleidoscope”), Bella Warda (“Radio Dreams”) Sachli Gholamalizad (“Domino”) and newcomer Kamand Shafiesabet.
Daneshmand comes to the film after appearing in HBO’s “House of the Dragon.” Playing the family patriarch Ali in the new film, Daneshmand takes on a nurturing role of the father of eight children who is at the heart of the comedic drama. But for the experienced actor, the characterization was special from the beginning.
“Maryam, who directed, talked me through the character, which was based upon her father. I felt honored and had a feeling of responsibility playing the role of her real-life father,” he said. “The more I learnt about this fascinating and interesting man, the more at ease I was to perform the role. I also find, the finer the quality of the script, the story, the easier it was to act. The script was excellent.”
Having been born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Daneshmand discovered his passion for the arts early on. With his mother, a former film actress, nurturing his creative side and allowing the young boy to discover his love for film, television and other forms of artistic expression which he immersed himself from the start – even after he was sent to Sussex, England at age 10 to attend boarding school. He would go on to attend Kings College in London and earn a BSc Degree in civil engineering, then a Masters Degree in Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts.
Daneshmand's other films include Steven Spielberg’s “Munich,” Universal Pictures’ “Green Zone,” the psychological horror film “Under the Shadow,” and others. His television work includes the Fox drama “Deep State,” the acclaimed BBC drama “The Night Manager,” and the new Netflix drama “The Diplomat,” among others.
