iFilm's exclusive with Mohammad Saleh Ala

Renowned Iranian actor/director/poet Mohammad Saleh Ala speaks to iFilm in an interview about his artistic practice and the projects he is currently involved in.

Saleh Ala is a big name in Iranian culture and art. His heart is pounding for Iran’s art and culture. He is good company and a great Iran Television and radio host with perfect diction of his own.

Below is a rough translation of selected parts from the interview conducted by iFilm in Persian:

Ifilm: Saleh Ala is a renowned name in Iran’s culture and art carrying titles such as poet, author, radio host, playwright and actor. All these make you have a multifaceted personality. Aside from such elevated interpretations of you, which arena wins your heart most?

Saleh Ala: Well, I have been involved in many projects that you may not know of or you have failed to mentioned, including designs in the visual arts and architecture. I work nonstop and to me, all I’m doing is one thing. Everybody thinks I am having a hard time, though the things I am doing is technically one thing in various forms. Working is like breathing for me.

iFilm: In the last few years, your radio programs have been different and many people listen to them for your different presentation style and applying untapped pure words. Your choice of words is one of the highlights of your presentation style. I am wondering if you choose the words or you come up with them on your own? Is your choice of words implicitly research-based or is it just your good taste?

Saleh Ala: I never intentionally choose my words; the possible difference in my speech or written language has been my inborn trait. Besides, I was brought up in a cultured family. During my adolescence, I would always have books in my hands. As for the radio, I love it so much given that no one can see my teary eyes during my shows. I am into winning people’s hearts and radio is just the right place for that.

iFilm: Saleh Ala’s fans still remember him in Iran Cinema. Why don’t you star in Iranian movies anymore?

Saleh Ala: I started my acting career when I was a pupil at school. I wrote plays and directed some for theatre. I made telefilms and wrote oral stories for the radio. I was also involved in cinema, though I didn’t like acting in movies. When I was at school, I played a role in a movie that I haven’t seen it yet. In those years, I played in a TV series. I, then, made a pact with myself not to appear in any movie. After the Islamic Revolution in Iran, Iran director Masoud Kimiaee came to my place one time and asked me to play in his movie. While I didn’t want to act in the movie, but you know, in the world, we don’t have many “Kimiaees”; he is an exception.

I’d thought ‘The Blade and The Silk’ was the last movie that I acted in; however, in Iran people keep on insisting. I ended up receving many offers from filmmakers. I used to play in movies all-year-round. I was against being in 4 or 5 movies in a year. Later, I made a pact with myself not to appear in films anymore.  However, I played in some one, two movies after my promise because my friend Behrouz Afkhami directed it and Nemat Haghighi was the cameraman.  This is while, I have been practicing self-restraint for many years, and I won’t appear in any movies. In our day and age, we are constantly playing roles, though it is not before the camera.

iFilm: What is your most important wish for your countrymates?

Saleh Ala: I would like to see them happy. I know life is too short. I hope and pray my countrymates will savor every drop of their life. I want my countrymates in Iran to love me and those living aboard to rely on me.

AG/AG