Patience of Women Like Khanoumgol Exemplary

“Commander” by Borhani-Marand is looking poetically and from a novel perspective into the lives of those who were directly or indirectly involved in the Sacred Defense. Farhad Amini is the dramaturge of “Commander”. The piece, which took part in Razavi Theater Festival, is played by Hedayat Hashemi, Nasim Adabi, Ahmad Kavari, Mirtaher Mazloumi, Fereydoun Mehrabi, Nahid Moslemi and Hossein Pakdel. It is being every night at 19:30 since September 25 in the main auditorium of the City Theater. Other crew includes executer of the plan: Hadi Amel, set designer: Saeed Hasanlou, music: Ebrahim Esbati, costume designer: Farzaneh Agheli, production director: Amin Rahbar, art advisor: Vahid Lak, Hojjat Alikhani, executive director: Hassan Abedi, planner: Farhad Amini, first assistant director: Amin Rahbar, second assistant director: Fereshteh Qasempour, secretary: Mona Abbasi, Set director: Mohammad Samadi, poster and brochure designer: Vahid Misaqi, make-up designer: Maria Hajiha, lighting designer: Babak Shahalizadegan, media and advertisement group: Maral Dousti, Mohammad-Reza Imanian, photographer: Amir Kohddami, Mahdieh Khaleqian, Mohammad-Reza Karimi, trailer: Nima Eqlima, ticket sale: Fereshteh Qasempour    

Pouneh Kouhi who plays the character of Khanoumgol in “Commander” talks about her charachteristics with irantheater.ir.

 

A group of top actors and actresses play in “Commander”. What has this for you?

I was happy. My concern has always been to learn. Playing in this piece has made my dreams come true and play besides the best cast. I can learn new things from each one of them. They have taught a lot too as they have been generous about sharing their experiences with me. I was frightened in the beginning days of rehearsals. But their kindness changed my fear into and opportunity.

 

Most of the characters speak Faris with accent. What was you feeling when you had noticed you have to express dialogue with accented Farsi?

I am from Mashhad. I grew up in a big city. I have been playing theater for more than a decade in Mashhad. It was not difficult for me to talk Farsi with Mashhadi accent. Of course, I do not talk like this at home. I was nervous in the first days. Hedayat Hashemi helped me a lot to get over it fast.

 

What was the features of playing Khanoumgol, a woman who is older than your age?

It was challenging and difficult. Nader Borhani-Marand assuaged my concerns a lot by assuring me that I could handle the character. I also did studies on the situation of such women. The interesting point was that I was a researcher for a documentary about martyr Manouchehr Modegh simultaneously. I talked hours with the wife of the martyr. The dialogue helped me a lot to play Khanoumgol. I watched lots of documentaries about the wives of martyrs, disable or those missed in wars.

 

What are difference between women like Khanoumgol and other?

They have exemplary patience. I believe they are still struggling with consequences of war. War has added lots of challenges to their lives. Such level of patience cannot be described. These women have sacrificed themselves to be able to run the life of their families. They had to run their families alone when their husbands were fighting in the front during the war. If their husbands were disabled or wounded, they had to take care of their husbands too in addition to other responsibilities. They faced such responsibilities with broad smile and without complaining. No one could understand what is inside their hearts. Khanoumgol is facing such challenges every day. Her husband has been in coma for over the past two years. He is in hospital and someone have to be beside his bed every day. There are lots of other pressure too, which she has to come to term with them.

 

Is the life of Khanoumgol unbearable for other women now?

Khanoumgol has been facing this situation for over three decades. Her life is tied to a half-alive body on the hospital bed. This shows how braved-hearted and patient she is.

 

Some believe that what these women do is not less valuable of fighting in the war front, don’t you think so?

Of course, that is true. We should admire them.