WHEN MEN DANCE

Abbas Motlagh, Director, uses his work as a filmmaker to explore the vicissitudes of human rights - in both documentary and feature film - telling the stories that call out to our common humanity.

Originally from Iran, Motlagh distinguished himself as a filmmaker with a universal vision through his prolific output while in his home country. From there his work garnered international critical acclaim before he moved to the United States as an immigrant.

His exploration of themes of displacement, isolation, and disempowerment are countered with deeply soulful human connection - a thread that runs throughout his body of work.

The humanity that animates Abbas' focus offers a clear-eyed vision into the innate goodness of human nature, holding the power to transform the viewer. Through his films, he has built bridges of understanding and empathy, connecting his Iranian roots to his creative journey as he peers through the Western lens.

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Abbas Ahmadi Motlagh was born in Tehran in 1958. He began his career as an actor at the age of 11. Over the next eight years, He appeared in various amateur productions and eventually enrolled in Tehran University's School of Fine Arts in 1977. There he studied theater, directing and starred in several theater productions.

Motlagh delved into screen and script-writing, which included: "Suitcase." He was Production Manager of the acclaimed Iranian feature " City of Mice." Following these projects, he directed and produced numerous commercials. Motlagh made his first feature film in 1986, entitled "The Hen and the Neighbor." It received critical praise in Delhi, and Fajr Film Festivals. After moving to the U.S. in 1991 - and becoming a US citizen in 1996 - he later directed and produced two anti-war documentaries, "Time to Arm" and "My Home is A Nightmare," both exploring experiences of U.S. military soldiers and veterans.

In 2006, He traveled back to Iran to direct "The Bad Friend," a comedy film which was a box office hit. Later, eager to do projects that were closer to his heart and more representative of his filmmaking style, he wrote and directed "Across the River." Though banned in Iran, it was accepted by many noted film festivals around the world, including Italy-Today religion film festival (winner of Inter Religious dialog), Hawaii film festival (Nominee Halekulani Golden Orchid Award), Bangkok film Festival, Brazil- Sao Paulo film festival, Georgia-TBILISI film festival, India-Pune International Film Festival. "Across the River" received 'Best Film' in the Hawaii International Film Festival. Other projects include: "A Call from Hostage Takers," produced and aired by BBC World "Yazd, Harmony with Destiny," an hour-long documentary about the ancient city of Yazd, Iran, and "A Requiem for New York," which is his latest short film (26 mins). "A Requiem for New York" is a surreal drive through Manhattan during the Covid pandemic lockdown, as experienced by the narrator, a New Yorker himself.

Abbas ultimately left his homeland, Iran - after facing persecution and censorship for his human rights stance as a filmmaker - having risen in the ranks and distinguishing himself amidst the most celebrated Iranian directors.

"Hostages" an HBO four-part documentary mini-series, Directed by Abbas Motlagh, received the 2023 Emmy for 'Best Historical Documentary.'

He also completed in 2025 "When We Grew Together - Peace Corps Journeys to Iran." Also completed in 2025, as Director/Producer/Editor is the forthcoming documentary: “When Men Dance.”