Washington [US], February 28: Acclaimed French-Iranian filmmaker Emily Atef, known for her works such as 3 Days in Quiberon and More Than Ever, has been tapped to direct an untitled feature film centered on the life of Farah Pahlavi, the last Empress of Iran. The film will explore the remarkable life of Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, who was married to the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi for 20 years until his death in exile in Egypt in 1980.
The film, currently referred to as the Untitled Farah Pahlavi Film Project, will delve into Farah’s resilience as a woman who, despite enduring more than 45 years of exile and mourning the loss of her husband and two children, remained deeply devoted to her identity as a sovereign and her love for her homeland. She never remarried and steadfastly held on to her Iranian identity, symbolizing an enduring connection between herself and Iran, despite the political and personal upheavals in her life.
Atef, known for her compelling storytelling in films like The Stranger in Me (2008), 3 Days in Quiberon (2018), and More Than Ever (2022), expressed her passion for the project. In a statement, she said, “Farah Diba Pahlavi lived an extraordinary life… From the glamorous heights as Empress of Iran to the depths of exile and scorn, Farah’s story remains a profoundly human one—a story of grace and humility, ambition and loss.” She continued, “Today, many still view her as a symbol of Iranian identity—one tinged with nostalgia, pride, anger, and longing. As a Franco-Iranian, I feel deeply inspired to explore this aspect of my own heritage while telling the story of such a fascinating woman.”
Atef highlighted the importance of focusing on the personal story of Farah, emphasizing her enduring humanity against the dramatic shifts of modern history.
In a 2024 interview, Farah Pahlavi expressed that she had no specific preference for who should portray her in the film. However, she hopes the film will reveal new perspectives on the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, especially shedding light on aspects of his life that many people are unaware of—a goal that the producers aim to achieve.
Producers for the film include Rosanna Grace and Nicole Tabs of Serendipity Group Inc., Middleton of Middleton Media, David Clark of Mazo Partners, and Sam Moazami of Moazami Pictures. The producers believe that Emily Atef’s artistic style and nuanced approach to character-driven stories make her the perfect choice to bring the Empress’ extraordinary story to the big screen.
Casting for the film is expected to begin soon, with anticipation building for this intimate portrayal of a truly unique and iconic woman.