IRAN CONFERENCE
Written by Ivan Vyrypaev
Directed by Igor Sergeev, Vladimir Kuznetsov
Production: Takoy Theatre, Saint Petersburg
Igor Sergeev and Vladimir Kuznetsov’s multi-award nominated production of Ivan Vyrypaev’s thought-provoking and timely “Iran Conference” takes place at a symposium in Denmark where influential public figures and scientists gather to discuss the current clash of modern Western liberal ideology with traditional religious consciousness and way of life. An attempt to present reports prepared by the lecturers quickly transforms into a lively conversation about spirituality, ethical dilemmas and personal experiences related to the condition of humanity today. Vyrypaev’s aim is, of course, not to deliberate on the East/West friction, but to present a true-to-life philosophical parable about humanity, faith and love.
Presented in Russian with English subtitles.
Photos: Andrey Sukhinin
Language: Russian
Translation: English subtitles
Running time: 2h 31min (with 10min Intermission)
IVAN VYRYPAEV is a Russian director, actor, and playwright; one of the most outstanding and intriguing representatives of the Russian New Drama Movement, his aesthetics have been described as a combination of Quentin Tarantino and Andrei Tarkovsky. He is heavily inspired by tradition, and yet is poignant to the contemporary audience. His play "Iran Conference" attempts to start a conversation about the direction our civilization, a conglomerate of cultures and ideologies, is headed. Using minimal props (with the stage set as an actual symposium in Copenhagen) the gathered panelists, using a poetic language, discuss the crisis of civilisation, God versus science, belief versus progress. The play quickly transforms itself into an intimate conversation about the meaning of life and humanity's core values. It is a theatrical experience unlike any others.
Creative Team
Directors – Igor Sergeev and Vladimir Kuznetsov
Writer – Ivan Vyrypaev
Stage Design – Anvar Gumarov
Lighting Design – Andrey Lebed
Sound Design – Dmitry Madera
Video – Ivan Chernykh, Aleksey Sinitsa
Costumes – Stanislav Belozerov, Denis Gogolev
Cast
Philippe Rasmusen – Igor Grabuzov
Daniel Christensen – Leon Slovitsky
Oliver Larsen – Aleksandr Lushin
Magnus Thomsen – Artur Fedynko
Astrid Petersen – Yuliya Grishaeva
Emma Shmidt-Paulsen – Niele Meilute
Gustav Yensen – Stanislav Belozerov
Father Augustin – Aleksandr Khudyakov
Pascual Andersen – Pavel Philippov
Shirin Shirazi – Asya Shirshina
Press
An interview with Vladimir Kuznetsov, by Sergey Elkin, thereklama.com (Russian language)