Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani is tireless when it comes to defending freedom in his native country, via his Instagram account. Barely out of the joyful promo A romantic comedy by Thibault Segouin, which she co-stars with Alex Lutzhere we are in South Africa to shoot the rest of the series Invasionthen to Prague from where she spoke to 20 minutes between two shots of the film Tyler Rake 2 for Netflix with Chris Hemsworth as a partner. She even popped into Buenos Aires for a song in Farsi with the band Coldplay to celebrate Iranian women, whose anthem she took over, baravein front of an upset audience.
How do you apprehend the release of the film “A romantic comedy” in the light of the dramatic events that you echo?
The fact that I can be seen in a comedy film while there is a revolution in Iran corresponds to the absurdity of my life as an exile. I take it as a blessing. This means that no regime can kill the joy or the laughter of a people. That’s why I defend this film even more now. When I saw it, I was in the middle of this mourning and this sadness and I spent a great moment of happiness. I laughed out loud. I strongly encourage viewers to go discover A romantic comedy to live this experience of joy and clear your head.
Where does your constant commitment come from?
I was born into the fight. I am a survivor. I don’t accept being told “no” or being told how I should live. I accomplished everything I wanted to do. I chose my life in exile but that too was a gift. I believe that all the tragic things in our life can be used in a positive way, like trees taking on carbon dioxide to generate oxygen. The misfortunes of our life, either we let them destroy us, or we take advantage of them to rise. We can create a more beautiful world when we don’t take pleasure in the role of victim and we decide to fight. We can all become champions.
Why are you so active on Instagram?
I use Instagram as a bridge. There are several things I would like to accomplish through my account. The first is to give hope, to lift people’s spirits. The second is to show what is happening. Although it is sad, it is important to see the disaster unfolding in Iran. It is imperative to show these images. The third thing is that I want to emphasize how similar everyone is despite cultural differences. I wish to create empathy in the West for the Iranian people. I want to sweep away the received idea that the Middle East represents fear, terrorism, evil… I post so that people can say to themselves: “Hey, this could be my daughter or my son”.
Is this the reason for your participation in the Coldplay concert in Buenos Aires?
That’s what I call a wink from God. I don’t even know how I ended up there! Coldplay gave me a nice gift by taking the risk of having an actress sing live and in Farsi during their concert, which is broadcast in 1,400 cinemas around the world. For me, Chris Martin is a rare human being who will forever remain a hero in Iran. The day he gives concerts there, he will fill entire stadiums. His music is that of adolescence. Chris Hemsworth, who I’m filming with right now, is also a wonderful supporting actor. I consider myself incredibly lucky to be able to cross paths with artists and people of such quality.
How far do you think this fight will take you?
I’m not a politician, but I’m going to use my whole life to make it stop and Iranians find freedom! Nothing is worse than the mullahs who have destroyed everything in their path. They are like a cancer that needs to be cut. If we are not careful and ignore their actions, it means that we are turning our backs on hundreds of years of fighting for women. This goes beyond Iran, we see what is happening in the United States, it is universal. If we emerge victorious from this fight, all of humanity wins, not just Iran. Then I could find my beloved country, an Iran that I do not know and in which there is everything to rebuild. It is my dream and that of all exiled Iranians.
Do you think the situation will improve in Iran?
This time I think so. Until now I had always answered “no”. For thirty-nine years, all my life, I said “we don’t know” but this time I said “yes”, a big “YES”, things will work out in Iran. I have the impression that the Islamic government has become a ridiculous and wounded ant, which has lost all credibility, a bleeding monster. And even if it’s a matter of time, even if he bleeds for a long time, he will eventually die because this generation of youth ripped out his spine. He can no longer walk. He will crawl for a while and then collapse. The Iranians will not let him get up.
In the meantime, do you ever feel threatened?
I remain vigilant but without paranoia. For public and announced events, I ask for very discreet protection, not only against the Islamic government but because there are crazy people all over the world. I am the target of Islamic groups and also of certain exiles, but it does not matter. When I receive threatening emails, some of which are really horrible, I take it as a joke. I burst out laughing and block them. My companion, who helps me sort my emails, worries more than me. I tell him that, compared to the risks taken by young people fighting on the streets in Iran, what I am doing is insignificant. They are the ones who fight the real fight and put themselves in danger.
How do you hold on physically?
In everyday life, I lead a very discreet existence. I rarely go out. Strangers sometimes tell me “you look like Golshifteh”, which I find quite funny. People see me as a symbol but I’m an ordinary woman. I really have nothing exceptional. My fight is more than me and I try to do my best to be heard. It’s a force that goes beyond me, that helps me manage all of this. Going to the gym keeps me in shape. I try not to stop even when I’m exhausted, on the verge of fainting. It makes me stand up. When my companion is near me, he pays attention to my health, when I don’t have time to think about such things. Having the right person by your side can help too. It’s harder when we’re apart, but I’m holding on.
And your job as an actress, how do you keep a place for it in all of this?
Here, I’m filming and just before we say “action”, I’m on my Instagram account and I don’t have any concentration on the film. I don’t have space to think about my roles, but at the same time, when I’m in it, it’s like a switch. Looks like I’m taking an elevator instead of the stairs. My emotions and sensations become immediately accessible. The cinema is always my refuge. I feel free, even I even rest, when I’m in front of the camera, because it’s a moment of the present where I can’t do anything but let myself be carried away by the truth of the character. It’s almost like a spiritual journey, meditation.
How do you choose your roles today?
I got involved three or four years ago on most of the projects I’m shooting at the moment. I want to settle all the promises I gave, which will take me until May, and then we’ll see. For me, every movie is like a wedding with the cast and crew whose child is the movie. This is why I carefully choose my artistic partnerships. I have rarely been wrong. I’m even very lucky when he plays in early films like A couch in Tunis Where A romantic comedy which turn out to be great.
Golshifteh Farahani believes that “yes, things will work out in Iran”