Hengameh Mofid facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hengameh Mofid
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| هنگامه مفيد | |
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| Born | 22 December 1955 Tehran, Imperial State of Iran
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| Occupation | Actress, director, dramatist, university tutor. |
| Spouse(s) |
Kambiz Samimi Mofakham
(died 1997) |
| Children | 3 including Yashar Samimi Mofakham, Idin Samimi Mofakham, Alma Samimi Mofakham |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Bijan Mofid (brother) Bahman Mofid (brother) |
Hengameh Mofid (born December 22, 1955) is a well-known Iranian actress, director, writer, musician, and university teacher. She is famous for her work in film and theater, especially for children.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Hengameh Mofid was born in January 1956 in Tehran, Iran. She is the youngest child in a very artistic family. Her father, Gholamhossein Mofid, was a famous actor, teacher, and calligrapher. Her mother, Ghodssiyeh Farivar, was a high school headmistress.
Her family is one of the most famous in Iranian theater and cinema. Her brothers, Bijan, Bahman, and Ardavan, also work in theater. Their father and oldest brother, Bijan Mofid, who was an important Iranian playwright, encouraged the younger family members to join the arts.
Growing up in this creative environment, Hengameh studied at the Tehran Conservatory and later at Art College. She joined a special theater group for children at the Intellectual Development of children and Young Adults (IIDCYA), also known as Kanoon. This group was led by Don Roger Laffoon. There, she met her future husband, Kambiz Samimi Mofakham. They married in 1977 and have three children, all of whom are involved in the arts.
The Kanoon Theater group was a leader in children's theater. They put on many great shows like "Miss Butterfly" and "The cloak of thousand tales". They also performed at international festivals in places like Hamburg, Wales, and Sydney.
Career Growth and Contributions
After some changes in the country, Hengameh Mofid left Kanoon. She continued her career as a voice actress, recording stories and a popular children's song album called "Little Songs." This album is still very popular for children's music in Iran.
She also started teaching in kindergartens and elementary schools. This led her to open her own private kindergarten with her husband and twin brother, Houman. She was the headmistress there for five years.
Since 1983, Hengameh has worked closely with the children's department of IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting). She has written, acted, directed, and composed songs for many children's programs. She believes that teaching children helped her stay connected to their imaginative world. Her special ability to think like both a child and an adult made her a very successful writer for young audiences.
Hengameh created many beloved characters that are still remembered by three generations of Iranians. These characters are known for their funny voices (often her own voice), simple yet smart conversations, and the important lessons they teach in a fun way.
She believes that storytelling is a powerful art form. She once said, "Storytelling is a direct connection between children and grownups, and it can be as simple and friendly as a good conversation."
In 1988, she went back to university after the Iranian Cultural Revolution. She graduated from the University of Tehran with a degree in Dramatic Literature. Since 2000, she has also been teaching theater, music, and playwriting at art universities. She also helps amateur theater groups with voice and acting lessons.
Key Works and Activities
Hengameh Mofid has been involved in many different projects. Here are some of her main works:
Literary Works for TV Shows
As a writer and director for puppet and live-action TV series:
- The Farm of Bibi Khanoon (first and second seasons)
- Night Time Stories
- Flower Time
- The Little Cook (live TV series)
- Dara & Sara (live TV series)
As a scriptwriter, voice actress, songwriter, and music composer for TV series:
- Cloud, Wind, Moon And Sun
- Sonny And Daddy
- Miss Nazanin
- Water, Water, Life
- Grannie's House
- The Adventures Of Taghi Jan
As a voice actress:
- Allesoon & Vallesoon
- The Starling And The Wise Hoopoe
- The Itsy-Bitsy Sparrow
Theater Plays
Hengameh Mofid has acted in many plays for children and young adults from 1971 to 1978 with the Kanoon theater group.
- The Butterfly
- The Turnip
- Kouti & Mouti
- Rise And Shine Miss Sun
- An Event In The Puppet Town
- The Cloak Of Thousand Tales
She also appeared in plays for adults:
- The Moon And The Leopard (1971)
- Sohraab, Horse And Dragonfly (1978)
As a songwriter and music composer for plays:
- The Gold Tooth (2001)
- A Tableau of Love (2002)
As a director:
- The Eagle And The Fox (2004)
As a writer:
- Pahlevan Kachal and Ververeh Jadoo
Cinema Works
Hengameh Mofid has contributed to several films:
- The Drifters (as scriptwriter, songwriter, and voice actress)
- Once Upon a Time (songwriter and voice actress)
- Children of Iran (as narrator)
- Lala & Loulou (animated film, as narrator and voice actress)
- The Refugee (as actress)
- Golnaar (children's fantasy film, voice actress)
Children's Story Albums
She has recorded several popular children's story albums:
- The Butterfly
- The Turnip
- Kouti & Mouti
- The Wonderful Farm
- Little Songs (favorite nursery songs)
Teaching and Other Activities
Hengameh Mofid has also dedicated her time to educating others:
- Art Teacher at elementary schools
- Supervisor for kindergartens
- Headmistress of a private kindergarten for five years
- Headmistress and supervisor at the "Behesht Cultural Centre"
- Organized workshops at the Tehran International Puppet Theater Festival
- Organized workshops with Kalagh Art Group
She teaches puppet theater and performing arts at:
- Soureh Art University
- University of Tehran, Faculty of Fine Art
- Art University, Faculty of Cinema & Theater
Other Activities
From 1971 to 1978, she was a member of the professional children's theater group at Kanoon. She also participated in international theater festivals in Hamburg, Wales, and Sydney. She was part of the Folklore dance Festival in Australia and a member of The Itinerant Theater.
Recent Activities
- Member of the selection committee for the Tehran International Puppet Festival For University Students (2005)
- Member of the selection committee for The Mobarak Unima International Puppet Festival (2006)
Awards and Recognition
Hengameh Mofid has received many awards for her contributions to the arts:
- Honorary Title and Highest insignia from the Academy of Dramatic Arts for her lifetime achievements.
- Honorary Title and Highest insignia from the International Puppet Theater of Tehran.
- Honorary Title and Highest insignia from the Municipality of Tehran for her lifetime achievements in arts.
- Best Play award for writing "Girls from the Gardens of Carpet" at the Fajr International Festival.
- Best Directing award for "Night Time Stories" at The Fourth Television Festival.
See also
- List of Iranians
- List of Persian poets and authors
