Golshifteh Farahani (Persian: گلشیفته فراهانی; born Farnaz Farahani on July 10, 1983) is an Iranian-French actress, musician, and activist. She was born in Tehran, Iran, to actors Behzad Farahani and Fahimeh Rahim Nia. Her sister, Shaghayegh Farahani, is also an actress.
Farahani began acting at the age of six. At 14, she won the Best Actress award at the Fajr International Film Festival, the most important film festival in Iran, for her role in Dariush Mehrjui’s The Pear Tree (1998). She continued to act in Iranian cinema, gaining recognition for her performances in films such as Boutique (2003) and M for Mother (2006).
Farahani’s international breakthrough came with her role in Ridley Scott’s Body of Lies (2008), marking the first time an Iranian actress had appeared in a major Hollywood production since the 1979 revolution. Following the release of the film, she faced restrictions and eventual exile from Iran.
Since relocating to France, Farahani has built a successful international career, working in French, English, and other languages. She has collaborated with renowned directors and actors in various film projects.
Here is a selection of her popular movies: