Mar 2004 - Issue 3
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An Interview with Azadeh Babaii
In an interview, Iranian film maker and photographer Azadeh Babaii talks about her short films and movies and her passion for creating marvelous things. Interview by Interconnect Iranian.
I-I: "I want to be happy" is one of your projects as well, which is a collection of black and white portraits. Are these self-portraits? What is it that you want to achieve with it?
Self-Portraits of Azadeh Babaii
Azadeh: Yes, these are self-portraits. There was a time when I was very depressed for six months. I couldn't do anything. I couldn't think, I couldn't eat, I couldn't go out, I couldn't feel the passage of time and in general, was unable to be active. I was in my bedroom all the time and the only thing that I could do was to take photos of myself. I don't know why I was able to do this one thing but I think maybe I wanted to see myself better and I didn't know anything except that I didn't want to be this way. I really wanted to be happy but I didn't know how! And after I took these photos, I put them away. Later I remembered them and began working on them and then I felt better finally! I have to add that at that time, I had no intention to show them to anyone. I didn't consider them as my art works because I didn't want to show myself to anyone. But I'm ok with this now. It was a terrible time in my life that I had to pass.
I-I: What gives you the most satisfaction as an artist?
Azadeh: When I finish a work and I know that I could exit all the ideas that existed in my brain.
I-I: Do you think that the Iranian female contemporary art has finally found its identity and has become accepted in a male dominated society like our country?
Azadeh: I think it has found its identity, although slowly and with great difficulty. And we have to consider that there are obstacles in women's way that male artists don't have to face.
I-I: How does the free spirit of art function within the limitations existing in a society like Iran?
Azadeh: It's a really hard question to answer. For me the most annoying thing here is pretending to be someone else or to do something else. In my opinion it's the most dangerous thing for the free spirit of art.
I-I: There are a lot of young Iranian artists today that are working with new ways of expression and styles such as conceptual, performance art and interactive art. Can you name any of those artists whose work you are fond of?
Azadeh: As you said there are a lot of young Iranian artists who are working with new styles and I admire their attempts. I go to their exhibitions sometimes but I'm not a good visitor for this kind of art, like performance or conceptual. I'm not comfortable in a painting or conceptual exhibition; I like to be alone when I watch an artwork so I prefer to see these works when they are published. I don't want to deny these kinds of art or say that they don't influence me, but it's different from watching a film. I can concentrate, I can think of only what I see and I don't feel time and place when I'm watching a film even if it's a short film or if I'm in a crowded cinema. (It seems I'm a real fan of the art of cinema!).
I-I: Are there any upcoming projects of yours that you can share with our readers?
Azadeh: I have some short stories that are supposed to be published in Badjens website.
I-I: Are you planning on a new show anytime in the near future?
Azadeh: "Carnival" has been accepted in the Baran Film Festival. It's a festival for women filmmakers and films that have been made about women. I am awaiting to see what the feedback and reactions to my film will be.
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