By Valerie Milano
Palm Springs, CA (The Hollywood Times) 4/6/24 – Action/thriller film lovers, prepare to be immersed in the pulse-pounding world of action and martial arts as director, writer, and star Ramin Sohrab unveils his long-awaited masterpiece, Layers of Lies. Breaking boundaries as the first-ever Finnish/Iranian action film, this cinematic gem has been a labor of love, spanning over 10 years in the making. Navigating stringent regulations to film and exhibit in Iran, Sohrab has crafted a cinematic experience unlike any other. Following its triumphant journey through the festival circuit, Layers of Lies is set to dazzle audiences worldwide as it premieres on streaming platforms at the end of April 2024.
While the storyline is a huge part of this impressive feature, the setting of Layers of Lies makes up a huge aspect of the film. Sohrab says, “When we shot in Finland, we tried to show the best side of Finland and the same goes for Iran. Some of the locations in the film have never been seen before, so I think that brings out a level of excitement. The idea was to show a different side of Iran, so we really wanted to emphasize the western culture and the middle eastern culture, mixing those together, and then you have the love story of trying to figure out how the main character saves his wife.”
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Sohrab now celebrates a huge accomplishment in his inaugural feature, however, the film posed unique challenges in bringing Layers of Lies to fruition. Ramin Sohrab reflects on the pioneering spirit driving his groundbreaking vision, “There have been a lot of others that have tried before, but because it’s a new genre in the region, it’s very hard for the government to green light anyone to make an action film. They have done a few projects, but they did not do well; the budgets were high, and they did not understand what it takes to make an action film. The reason why I specifically wanted to go there and finish this was because I was born in Iran but raised in Finland, and I thought this would be something new if I could have co-production between these 2 countries and showcase the cultural aspects of Iran and Finland and show the similarities between the two. Because a film like this has never existed, this actually helped me convince the government to do the co-production which will then encourage film makers, inside and outside of Iran, to do more co-productions with other countries.”
Director, writer, and star Ramin Sohrab’s visionary prowess shines through every frame, transcending boundaries and weaving together the cultural tapestries of Finland and Iran with masterful finesse. Through the lens of this groundbreaking film, viewers are transported to unexplored vistas, both geographical and emotional, where the fusion of western and middle eastern culture serves as a backdrop to an electrifying narrative. Check out Layers of Lies on Video on Demand!
