**Mohsen Makhmalbaf** (1957) is an influential Iranian director, screenwriter, and producer, and a central figure in the New Wave of Persian cinema. Although the request focuses on his acting career, Makhmalbaf is primarily known for his directing and occasionally appears in his own films, often playing himself or a self-reflective role that reflects on the filmmaking process.

His style is characterized by profound visual poetry, an almost documentary approach, and an exploration of the boundaries between fiction and reality (meta-cinema). His works often address social, political, and cultural themes, exploring identity, art, and the human condition.

His most famous films include *Gabbeh* (1996), a visual elegy on carpets and nomadic folklore, *A Moment of Innocence* (1996), a semi-autobiographical recreation of an event from his youth, and *Kandahar* (2001), a touching portrait of Afghanistan under the Taliban. Founder of the Makhmalbaf Film House, he has influenced generations of filmmakers.