Jahanbakhsh Soltani:
Talented, Cultured Artist Can Avoid Cliché
Lots of cinema and television artists have started career in theater, owing their fame to their theater activities. Jahanbakhsh Soltani has also begun with dramatic arts, playing many outstanding pieces. One of the best acting roles, he had was “Majid’s Stories”, which is set in his home city of Isfahan.
On Razavi Theater Festival, Mr Soltani said that it was impossible such a major event would have no impact.
“Tehran is a window for all arts. Anyone can come to Tehran to bloom talent,” he said and added, “A very important and sensitive point must be taken into account; one cannot tap potential just by coming to Tehran. The person should prepare the ground.”
The festivals may be less flashy in cities other than Tehran but they can help theater artists to reach their targets, Mr Soltani said.
The artists, Soltani said, would flourish by research and knowledge. “An artist can gradually ladder the top of the art through local festivals provided he is a man of spiritual journey. I had the same experience and started in my home city and walked the ladder of success from there gradually.”
Decentralization of theater festivals can encourage artists, he stressed, and urging for building quality theater studios as it was constructed in some cities like Isfahan.
Isfahan has 22 theater groups and new auditoriums now. “The trend must continue. It is not correct for Tehran to enjoy all privileges including festivals and performances. This is a disadvantage for the country’s dramatic art.”
Mr Soltani insisted that the festivals should avoid propaganda, stressing that cultural programs such as festivals or other occasional ceremonies would have their impacts as some veteran theater figures were hailed from small towns.
The most important point would be to avoid clichés and lack of creativities as a talented and cultured person who put his love, faith, knowledge and conscience would have things to say.