Translated by Ladan Saedi
TEHRAN (IAO) – We requested Ezatollah Entezami to have an interview with the news website of the Iranian Artists' Forum, he accepted a verbal interview and we sent the questions. It was a good opportunity to talk to him for hours. What comes below is an excerpt of the first part of our long interview with Ezatollah Entezami (actor, head of the Theater Forum and member of High Council of the Iranian Artists' Forum). Our interview lasted more than two months.
- How can you define acting after over-half-century experience in theater, television and cinema?
- In fact, acting means living. A film shows a life with all its good and bad events in different styles. Actor shows life. "Theater is the mirror of life." It was seen on the walls of the theater halls in the
years of 1320. I believe that every one should live by his/her role.
- Mr. Entezami, two books have been published about you, your life and your works. Don't you want to write about your life?
- Those books are some how my life. Houshang Golmakani worked on "Mr. Actor" about 8 years. A'zam Kian Afzar also did her best for the book of "Magic of Stage", but I do not like one part is about theater.
I also have some notes, but I am not an author.
- Do you have special methods for playing a role?
- I never memorize my role. I believe in practice and repetition. I think that for creating a character or personage, we should know his/her biography; every thing is related about his/her life. We should find the character among the text. I do not like to do whatever the director says. I like to have an artistic and friendly relationship with the director.
- If you were not an actor, what career did you choose?
- Music, reading literary works and novel. I like whatever makes me closer to the culture of my country.
- How many hours do you study in a day and what are your favorite books?
- Reading is my only hobby. When I am not feeling well, book protects me. But I should confess that book is too expensive.
- Do you believe in having knowledge in theories of acting?
- It is a must for all of those who are interested in art to study in the university. But we also have good play artists who have not passed academic periods. But it is an exception.
- How are the play artists divided into good or bad levels?
- Experience has proved me that we can not consider any criteria for a good or bad play artist. There are some good play artists who repeat their previous works and their works become a cliché. In fact, they leave artistic career. A play artist should not work in the TV serials too much.
- What do you wish for your country "Iran"?
- I wish that all of my countrymen; from the rural men to urban ones, laborers and employees enjoy the public insurance and can live in security and welfare in old ages. I hope that we have freedom in a complete meaning. Then, I think my country is triumphant.
- How have you found Iranian people?
- I kiss hands of my people. Our people have always welcomed every humanitarian aid (natural disasters) sooner than the government and officials.
- What do you think about war? What is the worst memory of your life?
- I hate war. My worst memory is about the time that Saddam attacked Tehran by missile and Tehran was empty. Only innocent people are killed in the war.
- Which period of your life do you like more?
- Life is lovely, with all of its troubles. It is very good that you can leave some thing from yourself and your life and be useful. You'd better have a memorial of yourself.
I think that the artist never joins the history. S/he is never lost in the history and is always alive.
- What is your greatest wish?
- I wish to die in my own country.
- What is your biggest pain and happiness?
- I do not have enough time to talk about happiness and sorrow.

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