Alireza Khatami

Biography:

Alireza Khatami (born 1980) is an Iranian director, writer and producer. Born into the indigenous Khamse tribe in southeast Iran, he was deeply influenced by the rich oral storytelling traditions of his heritage. This inspiration led him to create a unique storytelling style, blending fantasy and realistic narratives. His works poignantly explore precarious lives, identity politics, and feature a dark sense of humor. Starting as an assistant director, Alireza worked with esteemed filmmakers, including Asghar Farhadi. His films gained recognition, showcased at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice, and Berlinale. His debut feature, Oblivion Verses, premiered at the 74th Venice Film Festival, winning three awards, including the Orizzonti Award for Best Screenplay and FIPRESCI. His second feature, Terrestrial Verses, premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. Currently, Alireza is working on Things That You Kill in Turkey, an auto-fictional psychological thriller critiquing patriarchy.