Before describing the Iranian cultural sphere, social drama and festival events, lets decribe Ghanizadehs professional individuality and his Antigone. Homayoun Ghanizadeh is one of the most famous young directors of Iran: his 4 works (Waiting for Godot, Daidalos and Ikaros, Agamemnon and Caligula) so far have gained a lot of attention in Iran with their powerful messages and specific symbolic settings. Already with his 2nd work, Daidalos and Ikaros, he won the award of the best Iranian director in 2007.
Ghanizadehs individuality as a director is characterized by strong concepts and poetic images. His method of conveying stories and messages is more visual than verbal. When creating his characters, he starts with the individual characteristics of each actor, whereas the text is put together only in the course of rehersals.
Representing the ancient Persian culture, the director has chosen to work on the classic tragedy “Antigone” by Sophocles. The production brings together the Estonian acting tradition and an Iranian director, trying to find ways to bring into life the heroes of classical mythology and their choices, here and now.
Director HOMAYUN GHANIZADEH (Iran) Director’s assistant SHAYA GHASEMPOUR (Iran)
Cast: ANDRUS VAARIK (Tallinn City Theatre), ELINA REINOLD, RAIMO PASS (Estonian Drama Theatre), AGO ANDERSON (Pärnu Endla Theatre), ÜLLE LICHTFELDT (Rakvere Theatre), KÜLLI REINUMÄGI.
The project-based theatre R.A.A.A.M participated at the XXIX international theatre festival Dawn (Fadjr) held in Teheran from 5th to 20th February 2011 with the play Antigone directed by an Iranian director Homayoun Ghanizadeh. Elina Reinold won the award of the best actress of the festival for the leading role. Altogether, Antigone was nominated in 5 categories: the best actress (Elina Reinold and Külli Reinumägi), the best actor (Raimo Pass), the best director (Homayoun Ghanizadeh) and the best text (Homayoun Ghanizadeh). The festival competition programme included 14 plays from 11 countries.
Premiered on August 11, 2010, at St. Catherine’s Church in Tallinn. MTÜ R.A.A.A.M.
