Amir Kamali on Jean-Paul Sartre’s The Unburied Dead
Iran Theater-Amir Kamali, the director of the show "The Unburied Dead ", says that Iran's modern theater will always be grateful for the works of great artists likes Pari Saberi and other noble contemporaries.
. The play "The Unburied Dead " was staged in Iran in 1963 for the first time by Hamid Samandarian and Pari Saberi acted the role of Lucy. I wish we had a film of that performance nowadays.
The play " The Unburied Dead " by Jean-Paul Sartre , translated by Pari Saberi ,directed by Amir Kamali will be staged on April 10,2024 at Nofel Loshato Theater.
The Undead and Burial is a challenging play about the fears and sufferings of war. Sartre’s conventional philosophical notions of free will and power of choice can be seen in this book, but the Undead and Burial seem to have more emotion than some of Sartre’s other works.
Jean-Paul Sartre became closer to the general public as his plays came on stage. Yes, it is easier to communicate.
He believes that in the face of popular plays (psychological tragedies and psychological melodramas), only his theater, The Theater of Situations, is acceptable. The conflict of the human conscience in the situations that have arisen.
What made you want to direct a play by Jean-Paul Sartre and a translation by Pary Saberi?
- My personal interest in existentialist works in French literature was certainly a factor in this choice, but my main motivation for starting this project and any other art project is naturally also related to the current conditions of Iranian society. I think one of the most important weaknesses of modern man is the uncertainty of moral red lines;Therefore, choosing a play with a philosophical theme is a reflection of my preoccupations and mental concerns to make the future better, and i hope that the audience will have a suitable answer to their difficult moral questions.
Are you satisfied with the cast?
- The most important job of the director is to choose the actors. Analyzing the role and recognizing the abilities of an actor has always been the most difficult thing for me.About a month before the pre-production, about 80 famous actors were auditioned and finally 8 people were selected. Talent, empathy and dynamism are the main characteristics of our team.
What do you see as the main challenge of theater nowadays?
- The main challenge of all directors of philosophical shows is obsession. Obsession in art is good as long as it doesn't turn into conservatism and fear. Trying to perform the show as best as possible sometimes blocks the way to take risks and release the character. It is better if we don't comment about the theater these days.