Exclusive Interview: Marzieh Boroumand

In an exclusive interview with ifilm, the Iranian director Marzieh Boroumand whose fantasy TV series ‘The Water Fairy’ was aired on the ifilm, talks about the series and her concerns.

Boroumand is widely known for her TV productions for children, most notably ‘The Grandmother’s House,’ ‘the School of Mice,’ and ‘Tabeta Tales.’ But as she says her real concern are people and she has done all she could to express those concerns. She is worried about social ills and several years after the production of 'The Water Fairy' ended, she still talks of the environmental issues and harmful effects human activities have on the nature.   

ifilm: It’s fair to say ‘The Water Fairy’ is the most successful TV series about natural environment in Iran, How come you ended up with the series?

Boroumand: I’ve always been interested in natural environment and the wrong things we do to nature depresses me. This motivated me to make 'The Water Fairy'. I was very fond autumn and winter, but we no longer feel the change or tell the difference between seasons. They have become mere names and memories of the past. I don’t like autumn or winter anymore because of fumes and air pollution; no leaves falling off trees, no snow and no nothing.

ifilm: Then you decided to make 'The Water Fairy'?

Boroumand: Iranian water and wastewater organization asked me to make a TV series about natural environment. I suggested 'The Water Fairy' and they accepted it. We began writing the screenplay, but half way through, there was a change at the top of the organization and the projected halted.  So we decided to do the project on our own. A group of fifty to sixty people was formed and it took about two years to finish the project.  

ifilm: When the series was aired for the first time, It appeared to be a show for kids, but it was well received by adult viewers as well.

Boroumand: I’ve never made a movie or series for a specific age group, because my works are for families and I believe an entire family should be able to watch a TV show together. The fact that many families enjoyed ‘The Water Fairy’ was marvelous.

ifilm: In this series you have drawn on ancient Iranian tales and fairy tales. The three main characters are all symbols.

Boroumand: Yes, they are. I thought the element of fantasy would do well. In most Iranian myths, temples were built close to rivers or bodies of water. Iran is not rich in water resources, but our ancestors managed those resources wisely and enjoyed a serene life. But our excesses have caused severe water shortage and droughts. Lakes, waterholes and wells have dried up in our country. Anahita is the old Iranian goddess and guardian of the waters, and I decided to divide her role between the three main characters in the series.

RSH/RSH