Hossain Sabzian
- Born:
- Possibly Sabzevar, Iran (Exact date unknown)
- Died:
- Possibly Iran (Date unknown)
- Nationality:
- Iranian
- Profession(s):
- Imposter, Subject of Documentary Film
Early Life
- Details of Hossain Sabzian's early life are largely unknown and potentially unreliable.
- He claimed to have been an avid film enthusiast.
- Appears to have resided in Tehran at the time of his impersonation.
Career and Major Achievements
- Sabzian's primary "achievement" lies in his impersonation of Iranian filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf.
- He convinced a family in Tehran that he was Makhmalbaf, exploiting their admiration for the director.
- Abbas Kiarostami, a prominent Iranian filmmaker, turned Sabzian's story into the critically acclaimed docufiction film Close-Up (1990). The film documents his trial and explores the reasons behind his impersonation.
Notable Works
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Close-Up (Nema-ye Nazdik) | 1990 | Himself | Subject and Participant in Abbas Kiarostami's docufiction film. |
Legacy and Impact
Hossain Sabzian's legacy is inextricably linked to the film Close-Up. While his actions were deceptive, the film transformed his story into a compelling exploration of identity, aspiration, and the power of cinema. Close-Up is now considered a major work of Iranian New Wave cinema, and some view Sabzian's role within the film as performance art, further blurring the lines between reality and fiction. The story of Hossain Sabzian continues to resonate, and is often explored in documentaries, for example, those that appear on a Hossain Sabzian biography channel on internet video platforms.