Christopher Salmanpour

Christopher Salmanpour
Born
Christopher Morad Salmanpour

1977
Iran
NationalityBritish
Iranian
EducationL’Ecole Lycee-Francais
Alma materWarwick University
Occupation
  • Screenwriter
Years active2001-present
Children2

Christopher Morad Salmanpour (born 1977) is a British-Iranian screenwriter of movie and television. He is best known for the action-thriller Retribution (2023 film), starring Liam Neeson.[1] Salmanpour is also a winner of TheBlackList annual writers competition, securing script deals with industry giants Warner Bros and StudioCanal.[2]

Early life and education

Salmanpour was born in Iran and raised in London. He attended L’Ecole Lycee-Francais and Highgate Secondary School. Inspired by his family’s experience escaping their home country after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he studied International Affairs at Warwick University and later pursued a Masters degree from UCLA Film School.

Career

Prior to his screenwriting career, he had a 17-year executive career in the tech industry including 7 years at Microsoft from 2006-2012.[3] In 2001, Salmanpour was cast as an Arab voice-over artist in a comedy-drama Room to Rent (2001).[4]

After his grandfather’s death, Salmanpour wrote The Promise in 2016 – a screenplay about his grandfather’s escape from the notorious Ervin Prison in Tehran. This script earned the distinction as the first-ever double winner of The Black List Writers competition, taking home two out of the three contests that secured script deals with Warner Brothers and StudioCanal.[5] According to Hollywood Reporter, "Salmanpour was selected for the deal in accordance with the partnership formed last February between StudioCanal, TheBlackList, and The Picture Company to find a new voice among European Union writers for a blind script deal. His talent was showcased in his sample script The Promise."[2][6][7]

In 2023, Salmanpour’s feature film Retribution (2023 film) directed by Nimród Antal and produced by StudioCanal and The Picture Company, premiered on August 25, 2023, starring Liam Neeson, Matthew Modine, Arian Moayed, Noma Dumezweni, and Embeth Davidtz. Retribution was released worldwide for theatrical distribution, including in the United States, Canada, and India by Lionsgate Films.[8][9]

Personal Life

Salmanpour lives with his wife and two children in London.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Director Notes
2023 Retribution (2023 film) Nimród Antal Action thriller film

Television

Year Title Notes
2023 FBI: Most Wanted 2 episodes (4.11, 4.19)

References

  1. ↑ Scheck, Frank (23 August 2023). "'Retribution' Review: Liam Neeson's Latest Action Flick Is More of the Same". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kit, Borys (11 February 2016). "Black List Screenwriter Nabs Gigs With StudioCanal, Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Tapjoy Hires Industry Veteran Chris Salmanpour as Director of Sales for EMEA Region". www.prnewswire.co.uk. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Christopher Salmanpour". BFI. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  5. ↑ Petski, Denise (2 October 2019). "CBS Buys 'Drift' Drama Produced By Anna Fricke, Craig Turk & Dan Lin". Deadline. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  6. ↑ Petski, Denise (2 October 2019). "CBS Buys 'Drift' Drama Produced By Anna Fricke, Craig Turk & Dan Lin". Deadline. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  7. ↑ Kit, Borys (20 July 2016). "Studiocanal, The Picture Company Adapting World War Two Thriller 'The Paris Architect' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  8. ↑ McNary, Dave (9 May 2017). "Liam Neeson to Star in 'Retribution,' Remake of Spanish Thriller 'El Desconocido'". Variety. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  9. ↑ Benardello, Karen (25 August 2023). "Movie Review: Liam Neeson Once Again Achieves Retribution Against Villain Targeting His Family in Latest Intense Action Thriller". Cinema Daily US. Retrieved 27 August 2023.

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