Hossain Sabzian is a name inextricably linked to Iranian cinema, particularly for his unique and extraordinary performance in Abbas Kiarostami's masterpiece *Close-Up* (Nema-ye Nazdik, 1990).

Sabzian was not a professional actor, but an ordinary man, unemployed and passionate about cinema. In the film, which blends documentary and fiction, Sabzian plays himself in the telling of his true story: that of an impostor who pretended to be the famous director Mohsen Makhmalbaf to deceive a wealthy family.

His performance is characterized by raw realism and touching authenticity, making him a symbol of the fine line between reality and representation. Although he had no other significant film career, his role in *Close-Up* remains one of the most memorable and discussed in film history, embodying the complexity of identity and the desire to belong.