Hossein Kiani in Press Conference of “A Barren Day”:
Play Writing, a Way to Revive Iran’s History Writing
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Press conference of “A Barren Day” took place at Baran Theater on July 22. “A Barren Day” tells the story of three prostitutes in Iran during the last days of the Pahlavi regime. The three women are living in a neighborhood called “Qaleh Zahedi”. The story continues with an attack on the neighborhood, which forces three women to escape for the sake of their lives. They shelter in a place after that escape.
Hossein Kiani: Title of the play is from a Quranic verse on the day of reckoning
Hossein Kiani, writer and director of “A Barren Day”, said that it portrays three prostitutes and how economic, political and social problems push ordinary women towards prostitution.
Prostitution is a social problem, which could not be covered up through banning media or artists to deal with this social scar, he said, adding that “Qaleh Zahedi” was a neighborhood where such kind of women lived before the 1979 Islamic revolution.
“Now statistics show that the problem has not been mitigated throughout the years but it has been increased and remained a hushed-up issue,” Mr Kiani said.
The responsibility of art was to show a small part of the lives of these women, he said, listing “Qaleh”, a documentary by Kamran Shirdel, “Nodbeh” and “Opposite Mirrors” by Bahram Beyzaei as valuable works of art on the topic.
He regretted that it had been more than a decade no valuable works had been made on the subject.
Fahmieh Amanzadeh: Producing plays on such subjects needs courage
Fahimeh Amanzadeh, one of the actress of the play, said that she knew Hossein Kiani for long time and had collaborated with him in another play too, adding that she liked Mr Kiani’s trademark comedy but she played in two of his serious dramas.
“A Barren Day”, she said, revolved around a new and different subject, working on it needed a great deal of courage –a play about prostitution at a time theater was interested in cheap commercial shows to attract more audience.
Roya Mirelmi, one of the play’s actresses, did not attend the press conference due to busy schedule.
Hossein Kiani is the writer and director of “A Barren Day”. Fahimeh Amanzadeh, Shayesteh Irani, Elaheh Shahparast and Roya Mirelmi play in the show.
Mohammad Goudarziani is assistant director, planner and production director, Hamid Hosseini, Ashkan Delavari, Mahla Pakdamen the direction team, Maria Hajiha makeup designer, Farshad Fozouni music and special effects and Ali Motahari execution director.
“A Barren Day” opens today. It has performance every day except for Saturdays at 21:00 at Baran Theater. It will close on August 22.