TEHRAN – “Subdued”, director Hamid Nematollah’s drama about an emotional journey, has been named best film at the 18th Hafez Awards, Iran’s first and only private awards in the film industry and TV productions.

The Hafez Awards were presented at the Milad Hall in Tehran on Monday night as all winners commemorated Ali Moallem, the founder of the awards who died of a heart attack in March, 2017.

Moallem’s colleagues in his Persian cinematic monthly Donya-ye Tasvir, which is the organizer of the Hafez Awards, and his family were also present at the ceremony.

Leila Hatami won the award for best actress for her role in the movie “Subdued”. Hatami’s co-star, Kurosh Tahami, also received the best actor award.

The film also brought Sohrab Purnazeri the best composer award, and Masumeh Bayat won the best screenwriter award, while Homayun Shajarian won the best film music award.

“Subdued”, is about Mina who is recently divorced from her drug addict husband. With her mother deceased and estranged from her father, she leads an independent life. After finding a job in a restaurant, she strikes up a friendship with its attentive manager. She starts having feelings she has never before experienced. These feelings, eventually shared, are shaken when the manager begins to distance himself from her. Thus commences a tumultuous emotional journey.

One more award was presented in the best actor category and Hadi Hejazifar received the award for his role in “Lottery”, and one more in the best actress category which was handed to Parinaz Izadyard for her role in “The Villa Tenants” by Monir Qeidi.

The award for best director was presented to Fereidun Jeirani for “Asphyxia”.

Bahram Afshari won the best comedy actor award for his strong performance in “Paytakht 5”, the popular Iranian TV series that was broadcast on IRIB’s Channel 3 during the Noruz holidays in March.

Roya Mirlemi also won the best comedy actress award for her role in the TV series “The Licentiates”.

“The Home” director Asghar Yusefinejad won the Abbas Kiarostami Award, which was launched by the organizers last year in honor of the world renowned filmmaker. The award is presented to an innovative filmmaker.

Veteran stage and cinema director Ali Rafiei was next honored with a lifetime achievement award, while writer Hiva Masih also received a lifetime achievement award.

“Zero to Podium”, a documentary by Sahar Mosayebi about the lives of Shahrbanu, Soheila and Elaheh Mansourian, three Iranian sisters who are Wushu fighters from the small Iranian town of Semirom, was named the best documentary.

The best host award went to Mehran Modiri for his talk show “Dorehami”.

Photo: “Subdued” director Hamid Nematollah (L) holds the best film award he received at the 18th Hafez Awards ceremony held at the Milad Hall on August 13, 2018. Actor/director Hooman Seyyedi is also seen in the photo.