Private Project

Layers of Lies

Returning to Iran after many years in exile in Finland, Sam (Ramin Sohrab) finds that he has not yet escaped his past. A shady figure kidnaps his wife Emma (Jessica Wolff) in order to drag him into a violent scheme for revenge. But Sam is a relentless fighting machine who will stop at nothing to rescue the woman he loves. When it comes to deciding their future, the past will not stand in their way…

Layer of Lies is an adrenaline-fueled thrill ride through the bustling, diverse metropolis of Tehran.

  • Ramin Sohrab
    Director
  • Ramin Sohrab
    Writer
  • Christopher Larsen
    Writer
  • Ramin Sohrab
    Producer
  • Mohsen Sarafi
    Producer
  • Jonna Enroth
    Producer
  • Ramin Sohrab
    Key Cast
    "Sam Kashani"
  • Jessica Wolff
    Key Cast
    "Emma Kashani"
  • Timo Lahtinen
    Executive Producer
  • Teemu Lahtinen
    Executive Producer
  • Ramin Sohrab
    Executive Producer
  • Mark Hobson
    director of photography
  • Project Type:
    Feature
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Country of Origin:
    Finland
  • Country of Filming:
    Finland, Iran, Islamic Republic of
  • Language:
    English, Finnish, Persian
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Australian Cinematography Society NSW 2022 awards
    Sydney
    Australia
    November 6, 2022
    Winner ACS Australian Cinematography Society NSW 2022 awards
  • London Directors Award
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 9, 2023
    Winner - Best Director Action
  • European Cinematography AWARDS (ECA)
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    February 3, 2023
    BEST FEATURE FILM CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • Los Angeles Cinematography AWARDS (LACA)
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 27, 2023
    BEST FEATURE FILM CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • New York Cinematography AWARDS (NYCA)
    New York
    United States
    November 13, 2023
    BEST FEATURE FILM CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • European Cinematography AWARDS (ECA)
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    February 3, 2023
    Best Feature Film
  • Hollywood International Diversity Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    February 6, 2023
    Best Director
  • Canadian Cinematography AWARDS
    Toronto
    Canada
    August 24, 2023
    Best Cinematography
  • Hollywood blvd Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    November 4, 2023
    Winner - Best Director
  • Brussels International Film Festival - BIFF
    Brussels
    Belgium
    February 7, 2023
    Best First Feature Film
  • Cinema Cappuccino festival
    Jaipur
    India
    February 28, 2023
    Winner - Best Director
  • Los-Angeles Independent Authors
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 30, 2022
    Best Feature Film
  • Los-Angeles Independent Authors
    Los Angeles
    United States
    December 30, 2022
    Best First Time Filmmaker
  • London Directors Award
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 9, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Marilyn Monroe Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 24, 2023
    Nominee
  • 4th Dimension Independent Film Festival
    Bali
    Indonesia
    March 27, 2023
    Nomination
  • Corsenal Production International
    Salerno
    Italy
    March 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • EUROPE INDEPENDENT MOVIE FESTIVAL
    London
    United Kingdom
    March 14, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Swedish International Film Festival
    Arvika
    Sweden
    April 10, 2023
    Best Action / Adventure Film
  • The RED Movie Awards
    REIMS CEDEX
    France
    May 5, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Beyond Hollywood International Film Festival
    Beverly Hills
    United States
    April 20, 2023
    Winner - Best First Time Filmmaker
  • Inspirational Film Festiva
    Zurich
    Switzerland
    April 4, 2023
    Official Selection
  • WIFA FEST (World Indie Film Awards)
    Campania
    Italy
    April 27, 2023
    Honorable Mention
  • TACFEST 2023 International Toledo Action Film Festival
    Toledo
    Spain
    May 19, 2023
    Toledo
    Official Selection
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 2, 2023
    Official Selection
  • LA Underground Film Forum
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 22, 2023
    Honorable Mention
  • Los Angeles Film Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 2, 2023
    Finalist
  • EUROPE INDEPENDENT MOVIE FESTIVAL
    Izmir
    Turkey
    June 27, 2023
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • Disrupting Influence
    Sales Agent
    Country: United States
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Ramin Sohrab

Ramin Sohrab, a new insightful director and actor, is renowned for his exceptional skills in martial arts and stunts. Born in Tehran in 1985, Ramin began his training at the age of four under the guidance of his father, Alireza Sohrabzadeh, a master of Shaolin Wushu who introduced the discipline to Iran and trained thousands of students.

Ramin Sohrab and his family moved to Finland in 1990, where he spent his formative years. Ramin’s passion for performance led him to participate in numerous movies and TV shows, as well as showcase his talent in performances around the world. Seeking to further develop his skills, Ramin moved to Los Angeles in 2008 and enrolled at the prestigious Stella Adler Academy of Acting and Theater, a distinguished institution where iconic actors such as Marlon Brando, Robert DeNiro, Benicio Del Toro, and Mark Ruffalo had previously studied. After honing his craft, Ramin graduated from the academy in 2011, marking the beginning of his career.

Following his graduation, Ramin devoted himself to building his career as a director and actor in the motion picture industry. He successfully led the development and production of the first-ever Finnish-Iranian action film, which was filmed in Tehran and starred a strong western female lead. Adding to this milestone, the film was produced by a female producer, making it a groundbreaking achievement for Ramin and the Persian film industry as a whole.

Layers of Lies’ has been making waves in the festival circuit, having garnered an impressive 13 awards so far, including accolades for best directing, best feature film, and best cinematography. His achievements have also caught the attention of the Golden Globes, and he is featured in an article about his unbelievable journey of making the first Finnish-Iranian action film.

Ramin’s artistic abilities, combined with his martial arts expertise and his passion for storytelling, have won him numerous awards for his films. He continues to break new ground and push boundaries, as he seeks to bring unique stories to life on the big screen.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

For as long as I can remember, action films have captivated my imagination. As a director, my goal is to bring my vision of a proper action movie to life. Layers of Lies is the culmination of that dream - a feature film that combines classic action drama with the power of low-budget filmmaking.

My experience as an actor and stunt coordinator has given me a unique perspective on the art of action filmmaking. I understand the importance of telling a compelling story while delivering pulse-pounding action sequences that keep audiences on the edge of their seats.

Layers of Lies is not just another action film - it is the first Finnish-Iranian action film, a testament to the power of collaboration and the beauty of diversity. It is a movie that celebrates both cultures and brings them together in a way that has never been done before.

Making this film has been a lifelong dream of mine, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew to bring it to fruition. My hope is that Layers of Lies will inspire a new generation of action filmmakers and demonstrate the limitless possibilities of low-budget filmmaking.