Iranian Baha’i actor Manouchehr Farid passes away in Melbourne

Baha’i actor and pioneer of Iranian television, film and theatre Manouchehr Farid has passed away in Melbourne after decades of contributions to the arts and cultural fabric both in his homeland and abroad.

Mr Farid passed away in Melbourne, having lived there since his migration to Australia in 1985. 

Born in 1938 in Tehran, Mr Farid was a foundational figure of the Iranian New Wave Cinema of the 1970s which featured an iconic generation of Iranian artists including Bahram Beyzai. His collaboration with this writer and director is to this day celebrated globally by the international filmmaking community, so much so that Martin Scorsese’s foundation, the World Cinema Project, ensured that their film Ragbar (Downpour, 1972) was restored for posterity.

For years, Mr Farid acted in numerous television series and dozens of theatre and cinema productions. 

In 1978, he was rehearsing for a theatrical production which was cancelled due to the Islamic Revolution. In 1979, he played a leading role in the film The Ballad of Tara – the only Iranian film invited to the Cannes film festival in 1980. This was the height of achievement for an Iranian actor. At the same time, his career came to a tragic halt.

Following the Islamic Revolution, Mr Farid fled Iran with his family having been banned from continuing his artistic career due to his beliefs as a Baha’i. He migrated to the United States of America, and later to Australia. 

According to media outlet IranWire, while the news of Manouchehr Farid’s death in exile was widely covered by domestic media outlets inside Iran, state-approved reports did not mention the real reasons behind his flight from his homeland or his persecution. 

In an interview with Australian-based Iranian media outlet Radio Neshat prior to his passing, Mr Farid said he left his past and all of his achievements behind when he left Iran. He said he would do anything to earn his living.  

“But when I left the airport,” Mr Farid told Radio Neshat, “I said ‘O My God You Saved Me!’” 

“I respected everyone. I didn’t take anything to heart, I tried to forget. 

“You don’t know … how they broke my heart.” 

While Mr Farid did not recommence his acting career upon his arrival in Australia, it did not stop him from contributing to the cultural warp and woof of his newfound home community.  

During his life in Australia, he made a lasting contribution to the Baha’i community’s arts scene. In the 1990s, he staged three touring theatre productions based on the life and persecution of early Baha’is Tahirih – a 19^th century poet who advocated for women’s rights and freedoms – and Ruhu’llah – the 12-year-old Iranian child who was martyred due to his beliefs – as well as a play titled Mother and Daughter.

Mr Farid considered theatre a profound and thoughtful art and believed in its power to educate and inspire. As the Founder of the Baha’i Faith, Baha’u’llah, said:

And as His son, ‘Abdu’l-Baha, stated: 

Mr Farid is survived by his wife, Zohreh, his two children, and two grandchildren. 

He will not only be remembered for his artistic legacy, but his zest for life, his sense of humour, his abounding energy, love, and his devotion to his faith.

Featured image: Manouchehr Farid with his wife, Zohreh, and two children.