Exiled Iranian-French actress Mina Kavani opens Paris play as Iran crackdown sparks global protests

Key Concepts

• Exile: The state of being forced to live outside one's native country, a central theme explored through Mina Cavani’s personal experience and artistic work.
• Repression: The suppression of freedom of expression and political dissent, particularly within the context of the Iranian regime.
• Women’s Freedom: The struggle for equality and liberation for women in Iran, highlighted through the work of Forough Farrokhzad and the current protests.
• Art as Witness: The role of art, specifically theatre, in reflecting and responding to political and social realities.
• Forough Farrokhzad: A pivotal 20th-century Iranian poet whose work embodies themes of female emancipation and remains banned in Iran.
• "Woman, Life, Freedom" (زن، زندگی، آزادی - Zan, Zendegi, Azadi): The central slogan of the current protests in Iran.

The Iranian Struggle for Freedom: Mina Cavani on Exile, Art, and Witnessing Repression

The interview centers on Iranian-French actress Mina Cavani and her play, My House is Black (Mameon Enoir), which opens amidst widespread protests in Iran following a brutal crackdown on demonstrators. The conversation explores themes of exile, artistic freedom, the role of art in bearing witness to oppression, and the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Iran.

The Current Situation in Iran & Emotional Impact

Cavani describes the emotional rollercoaster experienced by Iranians following the initial hope for regime change, which quickly devolved into a tragic escalation of violence. She states that, as of the interview, approximately 40,000 people have died in the crackdown. She confirms her family remains safe in Iran, but the situation is deeply affecting her and the Iranian diaspora. The timing of her play’s opening is particularly poignant, coinciding with global protests against the Iranian government’s actions.

Forough Farrokhzad: A Banned Icon

The play My House is Black is based on the work of Forough Farrokhzad, a groundbreaking Iranian poet of the 1960s. Cavani describes Farrokhzad as a “most important figure of contemporary Iranian poetry” and a symbol of “emancipation of the women in Iran.” Farrokhzad’s books remain banned in Iran, yet she has become an icon of women’s freedom. Cavani explains she initially intended to create a show about her own exile but felt compelled to incorporate Farrokhzad’s poetry, recognizing its enduring relevance to the current situation.

The Personal Cost of Artistic Freedom: Cavani’s Exile

Cavani was forced into exile over a decade ago after appearing in the film The Red Rose, which contained a scene of nudity. The regime vilified her for this role, making it impossible for her to return to Iran. She explains that even before The Red Rose, she felt stifled by the censorship and constraints placed on artists, particularly women, in Iran. She consciously chose freedom of artistic expression over remaining in her homeland under those conditions. She states she “chosen…freedom than than returning back to my country and and and being in censorship.”

Art’s Role in Bearing Witness & Connecting to the People

Cavani grapples with the question of art’s role in political upheaval. While hesitant to define a specific “role” for theatre, she emphasizes the importance of artists remaining “close to the people and the most close to what's happening around us in the world.” She believes that authenticity and personal connection are key to impactful art, allowing audiences to deeply understand and resonate with the work. She doesn’t want to be seen as simply representing Iranian women, but rather as sharing her own lived experience and artistic vision. She stresses the importance of artists being truthful to themselves, believing that this honesty will create a deeper connection with the audience.

Jafar Panahi’s Imprisonment & The Dilemma of Exile

The interview highlights the plight of other Iranian artists facing persecution. Director Jafar Panahi, with whom Cavani previously collaborated on No Bears, was recently sentenced to prison again for his film It Was Just an Accident, which won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and is nominated for two Oscars. Despite this, Panahi expressed his unwillingness to live in exile, stating, “I wouldn't be able to stand it…I can only live in Iran.” This illustrates the complex dilemma faced by Iranian artists – the desire for freedom versus the deep connection to their homeland.

Historical Context & The Long History of Repression

Cavani emphasizes that the current unrest in Iran is not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of 47 years of repression since the 1979 revolution. She argues that the current protests are a direct result of this long history of systemic oppression, making the timing of her play even more significant.

Cultural Pick: Marian Kosraani

Cavani’s cultural pick is artist Marian Kosraani, whose work explores themes of war, immigration, and exile through abstract shapes, colors, and materials. Cavani admires Kosraani’s ability to convey profound experiences through non-representational art. Kosraani’s work is currently on display at the Francois Schneider Foundation in Alzas, Eastern France.

Synthesis & Main Takeaways

The interview powerfully illustrates the human cost of political repression in Iran. Mina Cavani’s story, intertwined with the legacy of Forough Farrokhzad and the current protests, underscores the importance of artistic freedom and the courage of Iranian artists who continue to create and bear witness despite facing immense risks. The conversation highlights the complex choices faced by artists in exile and the enduring power of art to connect people, amplify silenced voices, and offer a space for reflection and resistance. The interview emphasizes that the current crisis in Iran is not a new phenomenon, but a continuation of decades of systemic oppression, making the artistic and political statements of figures like Cavani and Farrokhzad all the more vital.