A Generation’s Echo: Playwright Stages the Tragic Tale of a Lost Wrestling Champion
An interview with director Siamak Zainaldini reveals how personal history and national memory converge in his new play, “Suddenly, a Samurai.”
TEHRAN – In a powerful new theatrical production, the complex legacy of a generation that came of age in the 1980s is brought to the stage. Director Siamak Zainaldini’s “Suddenly, a Samurai,” currently running at Tehran’s City Theater Complex, uses the tragic story of a national wrestling champion to explore themes of ambition, adversity, and resilience.
A Generation Forged in Challenge
In an exclusive interview, Zainaldini, a child of the 1980s, explained the personal origins of his play. “It was a decade marked by the profound aftermath of the war, population surges, and a massive wave of youth striving for university education,” he stated. “Securing a spot at a top university was immensely difficult. These circumstances meant that our generation, at times, felt a sense of aimlessness and exclusion. Yet, it also made us bold and combative. We sometimes lost our way, and while I wouldn’t say we reached a point of nihilism, many hardships and challenges remained for us.”
The director was quick to clarify his perspective, emphasizing a forward-looking spirit. “I am not complaining or grumbling. I continue to persevere, to move forward, and as the saying goes, I will build wide roads through the darkness.”
From National Hero to Tragic Figure
The central narrative of the play is inspired by the real-life story of Zainaldini’s close friend and high school classmate, Babak Ghorbani. “I had friends who were national heroes; talented, athletic individuals who could have repeatedly raised Iran’s flag on the world podium,” Zainaldini recounted. “But unfortunately, due to various circumstances and oversights, their life paths changed.”
He detailed the fate of his friend, a wrestling champion. “After being disqualified from the national team for steroid use, his life took a drastic turn. Following a verbal altercation during a trip outside the city, he committed a homicide and was imprisoned. In 2014, Babak died by suicide in prison. It was then that I decided to portray his life on stage. He was an Olympic-level champion who dominated his competitions, yet he met such a tragic end.”
Artistic Vision: A Solo Performance with Seven Souls
The play’s unique format sees Zainaldini himself performing multiple roles in a series of monologues. “I have about seven characters on stage,” he explained. “Using multiple actors presented logistical challenges. Performing all the roles myself in a monologue format was a more effective solution.”
The director cited the influence of Hamid Porazari’s play “Sal-e Saniyeh” (“The Year of the Second”) for its use of temporal and spatial jumps. “My play is full of such dynamic shifts in time and place. It is not a single, monotonous speech. I utilize images, film clips, and appear in various roles and situations. This diversity, the multi-character nature, and the integration of visuals prevent the performance from becoming monotonous.”
Symbolism Over Literalism
Zainaldini was meticulous in avoiding direct or sensationalist depictions of sensitive topics. “I am very careful that the play does not fall into the trap of sloganeering or chaos,” he asserted. This is most evident in his symbolic approach to the theme of death.
“The set is highly minimalistic and metaphorical,” he described. “There is no direct reference to death or suicide. Instead, I use the metaphor of a ‘dragonfly’—an insect with a short, fleeting life—which serves a symbolic role.” The stage features four cubes that transform into various elements, from academic podiums to sports award platforms, and a wrestling mat that evokes the 1980s, ensuring the audience remains engaged through a dynamic visual landscape.
“Suddenly, a Samurai” runs until late October at the City Theater Complex’s Workshop Hall. It stands as a poignant monologue reflecting the memories, friendships, ambitions, and tribulations of a generation, framed through the life and tragedy of a champion who fell from grace.