ifilm exclusive interview with Reza Fayazi

Iran actor Reza Fayazi talks with ifilm in an exclusive interview about his artistic career and related on-screen matters.

Born 1953 as Abdolreza Fayazi in Iranian city of Ahvaz, the veteran Iranian actor is best known for familial TV series and films.  His name is mostly associated with on-screen works for children and young adults.

The actor received a high school diploma before getting his acting start in theater plays and short films. He experienced theater directing as well. In 1975, he was admitted to the University of Tehran, College of Fine Arts.

The actor was also involved in some student theatrical performances as part of his amateur acting credits.

Fayazi has tried his hand at writing, directing, hosting shows and several other cinematic professions. Further, he has written novels as well as writing poems as part of his side activities.  

He is most known for roles in TV series ‘The World of Shirin’ and ‘Tabeta Tales’.  The latter gained utmost popularity in Iran with the actors on the series shooting to huge fame.  

Fayazi’s other film and series credits include appearances in such titles as ‘The Fateful Day’, ‘Housemate’, ‘The Pahlavi Hat’ and 'Tabriz in Fog'.

Below is a rough translation of selected parts from his interview conducted by ifilm in Persian.

ifilm: Mr. Fayazi, working for children and young adults has always been your main concern. In such fields, there are just a few cinematic and TV products.

Fayazi: I started my acting career with works for children and young adults. This has is and will be my main concern. What you say is true. However, the children and youth fest in Isfahan which I recently attended was so much improved compared to its previous run.  

Many remarkable films attended the 2017 fest. Young adult films were boosted in the fest. ‘Twenty One Days Later’ is a notable example. We had our say in latest edition of the fest. I was quite satisfied with this year’s fest. I should say that the 30th edition of International Film Festival for Children and Young Adults made everyone feel better.

While this was the general atmosphere of the event, in the case of children’s and young adult literature --as I am somewhat involved in such field--just a handful of people exist. I can barely mention a name in this field who did some specialized works in this area. For example, Houshang Moradi Kermani who writes good stories for children has not produced works in such specialized field of literature. You can see how interesting and great was his 'Stories of Majid'. .

ifilm: You are an author as well as an actor. Which of these two activities do you like better?

Fayazi: Writing gives me the real sense of serenity; it is a strange feeling. It brings along commitment. While I love working in Television, writing is something different.

ifilm: You has appeared in various roles. Which ones are more ever-lasting to your mind?

Fayazi: Well, I guess my role as Mr.Jamali is still alive and never dies in me. Not only for me, but even for people this role is still breathing. A while back, I went to the dentist and there the doctor kept saying, “Mr. Jamali, it is your turn.” I didn’t pay attention at first, but later the doctor said, “Mr. Jamali was talking to you.” Then I found out he meant to call me by saying “Mr. Jamali”. A sequel to ‘Tabeta Tales’ original in which I appeared as ‘Mr. Jamali’ was supposed to be made. It didn’t happen, though. I hope this comes true.

ifilm: What are you up to these days?

I am working on a novel titled ‘Hello, Here a Father is Murdered’. The novel narrates the real story of a girl I got to know at a juvenile detention center who killed her father with the assistance of her mother

AG/AG