Bahaeddin Khorramshahi: Opponents of “Shahrzad” Have a Stalinist Logic

In the past month or two, the quarrel and uproar over the series “Shahrzad” has been one of the cultural issues in Iranian society. First, extreme and rabble-rousing Marxists attacked the makers of “Shahrzad,” then the radical right-wing current rose up against this popular series. In response to these pressures, Hassan Fathi (the series’ director) asked the artists and intellectuals of Iranian society to break their silence and rise in support of “Shahrzad.” Bahaeddin Khorramshahi, the renowned Hafez scholar and distinguished translator of the Quran, is one of the supporters of the Shahrzad series, and in this conversation, with a frankness rarely seen in his practical conduct, rose to the defense of Shahrzad and Hassan Fathi.

As you know, the Shahrzad series met with widespread acclaim in Iranian society, but now that the second season of this series is being made, there are overt and covert pressures from various, and sometimes opposing, political and intellectual factions to halt its production. Are you among the supporters of “Shahrzad” and do you defend its continued production, or are you neutral in this dispute, or are you opposed to the making of Shahrzad 2?

When an artistic work succeeds in Iranian society and is met with popular and intellectual acclaim, this causes the attention of right-wing and fundamentalist extremists to be drawn to it, and they begin to oppose that artistic work and feel threatened by it. I neither understand nor accept this action or reaction. Thus, I am certainly in favor of the Shahrzad series, which has become so accepted and popular, continuing. Besides, we cannot all sit around watching series like “Barg-e Rizan” and “Nabard-e Golha”! If a constructive (and not destructive) competition is to take place, our artists must have the means, and their hands must be open, and they must be free. Otherwise, people do not even turn on our own television to see if it is broadcasting something good. The reason is that our people have become disappointed with our own television and know that, compared to satellite channels, it has nothing appealing. Therefore, in order for this favor toward satellite channels to decrease, for our artists to be encouraged, and for Mr. Fathi, whose work has rightfully been met with public acclaim, to be able to finish making the second season of “Shahrzad,” in my opinion it is imperative that he have freedom of action. This pressure group that is being formed against the Shahrzad series only causes harm. That is, it harms art, freedom of expression, and even the people; people who have seen and liked a desirable artistic work. Why should we condemn the people? I believe these oppositions to “Shahrzad” are the result of intellectual idleness and arise from the view that – as Stalin said – whoever is not with us is against us. I once told someone that I am apolitical. He told me, “You are a counter-revolutionary!” Whereas if I were a counter-revolutionary, I would be political. The opposition is political. I am neither the opposition nor do I sympathize with the opposition. I love our country and I want our art to flourish, grow, and bear fruit; non-forbidden fruit!

So, in your opinion, those who oppose the Shahrzad series, because they have not seen it as aligned with their own political and cultural interests, base their opposition to this series on a “Stalinist logic”?

Yes. This is definitely Stalinist logic.

You mentioned the decline in the audience of our own television. In your opinion, why has our television fallen to such a state that it now has to envy the Shahrzad series?

Envy is certainly the work of inept and unsuccessful people. If they were successful, their success would bring them spiritual satisfaction and they would be happy to see a successful work. The making of a good series and the public’s acclaim for it is an instance of the growth of Iranian culture. Why should we oppose it? In a word, I wholeheartedly agree that the Shahrzad series and similar series should continue. If “Shahrzad” is to be pushed aside by pressure, then no one will come to invest anymore, and no one will come to write screenplays at all.

Some individuals have also claimed that because certain political and cultural figures visited the behind-the-scenes of the Shahrzad series, the second season is being made with the aim of influencing next year’s presidential election.

All of this talk is delusions. The figures these critics have in mind were among our history-making and influential political men, and perhaps their only sin was moderation and giving ground to the "opponent." These popular figures are worthy of respect, and their opinions and views on various issues should be utilized; for they are people of insight, possessed of political knowledge, and their political action is based on knowledge and vision, not on instinct. As it happens, the support of these prominent political and cultural figures would certainly encourage me to watch Shahrzad to the end. I don't want to make provocative remarks. But everyone must have the right to work; especially when they are met with public acclaim. After all, public acclaim is a value and must be respected. A single voice is not possible. A monophonic society is condemned to backwardness. Society must be polyphonic. I remember that the Society for the Appreciation of Cultural Works and Dignitaries held a commemoration ceremony for Abdolhossein Zarrinkoub toward the end of his life. I was at that ceremony too. The late Zarrinkoub said at that ceremony, I don't know why I am treated this way. That is, earlier on the "Hoviyat" program they stripped me of identity, and now they are holding a commemoration for me. One should not act inconsistently, and freedom of expression and the courage to express oneself must not be 'taken away

Hassan Fathi has also made several good series for Iranian television. Now, doesn't it seem unfair that a successful series of his made outside of television becomes a pretext for attacking him?

Yes, it is certainly unfair. Perhaps Mr. Fathi even wished to make the Shahrzad series for television, but minor issues prevented it. Hafez said: With friends, magnanimity; with enemies, tolerance. Now we say, if you do not tolerate enemies, at least tolerate friends.

Mr. Fathi has, in any case, been a reputable director in theater and television, and actors like Ali Nasirian, Taraneh Alidoosti, and Shahab Hosseini have been among the prides of Iranian cinema. Doesn't it strike you as strange that it is now being promoted in such a way that Hassan Fathi's series, featuring such actors, is presented as an instance of a criminal act against national interests?

They should write criticism. Why should they block freedom of expression and the freedom to create works of art? Let them write criticism in film magazines. Why this desire for suppression? We must set aside coercion and enlighten through criticism. One resorts to force when one lacks sufficient reason and proof. I support the continuation of the Shahrzad series and believe that freedom is self-correcting.

In closing, do you have any unspoken point about the Shahrzad series? I had been heartbroken ever since the onslaught of foreign series from satellite channels on our society intensified. But the Shahrzad series and the widespread acclaim of the Iranian people for this series gave me hope, and I said to myself, we have Fathi, Nasirian, Shahab Hosseini, and Taraneh Alidoosti; may God protect all these dear ones and grant Mr. Nasirian a long life. I hope this group achieves even more success. The solution for humanity is "culture." In my opinion, material poverty in many cases also stems from cultural poverty.

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Bahaeddin Khorramshahi: Opponents of “Shahrzad” Have a Stalinist Logic

The Prominent Translator of the Quran Defends the Shahrzad Series

Interview by Ahoura Jahangirian with Bahaeddin Khorramshahi

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