Mohsen Makhmalbaf, one of the country's best film-makers, was already in exile, a forthright opponent of the Islamic Republic he once faithfully served.

ECONOMIST: Iran's beleaguered film-makers

On a bus in Tehran, an unemployed movie buff reading a published screenplay passes himself off as its author, the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Mohsen Makhmalbaf.

NEWYORKER: Close-Up

He created one of his most fascinating works, "Close-Up" ("Nema-ye nazdik, " 1990), after a cash-strapped film enthusiast presented himself to a family as the director Mohsen Makhmalbaf.

WSJ: The Metaphysical Riddles of Abbas Kiarostami