Ostad

Ostad is a bold 2025 Iranian social drama marking the feature directorial debut of Seyed Emad Hosseini, with production led by acclaimed filmmaker Behrouz Afkhami and Mohammad-Hossein Mahdavian serving as a creative consultant. The screenplay, co-written by Hosseini and playwright Payam Larian, offers a loose adaptation of David Mamet’s play Oleanna, reframing the narrative in an Iranian context amid the global #MeToo movement. Starring Hassan Majuni, Sajad Babaei, and Hedyeh Hosseini-Nejad, the film follows the ambiguous and unsettling relationship between a prominent figure and his female student. Rather than casting clear heroes or villains, Hosseini probes the gray areas of power dynamics and sexual harassment, aiming for a nuanced exploration of imbalance and influence

Premiered at the 41st Fajr Film Festival and released nationwide in October 2024, Ostād received praise for its daring subject matter and layered performances—earning Sajad Babaei a Crystal Simorgh for Best Supporting Actor. Despite its powerful intentions, some critics viewed the film as too minimalistic and stagebound, likening its style to television drama. Still, Ostād stands out as a courageous and thought-provoking addition to modern Iranian cinema, opening conversations about consent, authority, and truth.