taliking with amir darvish
A
multi-talented Iranian, Amir Darvish has always cherished
the arts. As a child,
he had a flair for drama, and it wasn't until the 4th grade
that he got “bit by the acting bug”. Like any
other Iranian, he tried to pursue a more "noble" profession,
but is proud to say that he has followed his dreams. Today,
Amir is a model and an actor in New York City, appearing
on billboards, and acting in plays and on television. With
his diverse set of skills, and his multi-ethnic look, Amir
has taken the challenge of playing the role of legendary
Freddie Mercury at the Triad Theatre. Here, we had a chance
to
speak with
him.
PersianMirror: Tell
us about your background and your childhood.  Amir
Darvish: I
was born a little brown Persian boy in Tehran. At the age
of 5 my family
moved to the United States and we settled in Boston, where I
grew up.
In 4th grade, my performing arts teacher told
me that I MUST become an actor. She saw
something in me, supported me, and cast me in all the school plays. When I graduated,
Ms. Faycheck made me promise to pursue the arts. She always said I would be the
next “Don Juan”. After
finishing my Bachelors at Brandeis University, double majoring in Theatre and
Psychology (to appease my parents of not being a Doctor or Lawyer),
I moved to New York City to pursue acting. And here I am today, trying to
keep my word.
PM: Who are the biggest influencers
of your life? And your favorite entertainers? AD: My
family. Especially Mamman Toorandokht.
My favorite entertainer? Wow, that’s a tough one. So many have impacted
me. But, I'll tell you the very FIRST entertainer, Haydeh. My parents tell me
I knew the words to “Mastyiam”, before I could say Mamma & Babba.
Her music, the words – so poetic, and so much raw emotion.
The biggest
mistake one can make, is NOT to follow your dreams. I made my own path. It
took a while for my parents to accept my decision of pursuing
a career as an actor
and not a lawyer…and to this day, my mom still says, “you would
make such a good trial attorney – you’re a great actor”.
But over time, when my family understood that this was not just a phase or
a hobby, I
had their full understanding, love and support. And I don’t know where
I would be if I hadn’t been strong enough to go after what I wanted to
do.
"In
4th grade, my performing arts teacher told me that
I MUST become an actor." - Amir
PM: How
do you think your work fits in with the traditional Iranian
acting?
AD:
That’s a great question. Well, since I was only 5
when we left Iran, I didn’t get exposed to too many
Iranian actors, except Samad. (and he was his own special
entity). It was not until I came to the States, that I
started viewing other
Iranian actors in theatre and film. And I must say, we
as Iranians, have some of the best FILMS out there.
Because
of political, social or whatever reasons, there are a lot
of things that aren’t said, or should I say, CAN’T
be said. So, as a result, it’s all subtext. It’s
said with eyes, and subtle expressions…and that is
one of the biggest lessons an actor learns: subtext. What
is really going on behind what is being said? What is underneath
the surface? All talented acting and/or performers, no
matter where they are from or what the language, will manage
to touch
you in some way or another. All good art should have universal
appeal.
PM: What are some of the upcoming projects or events that you
have planned in the near future?
AD: I
tour with “Plays for Living”. We visit different
organizations and perform newly scripted material on subjects
of social issues that the company is facing, such as racism,
domestic violence etc.
The producers, of the
one man show I did, “Mercury: The Afterlife and Times
of a Rock God, about Freddie
Mercury, are looking to mount another run.
For the younger readers, Freddie Mercury was the lead vocalist of the multi-platinum
band called “Queen”. His background was Iranian.
I’m slated to do an episode of Law & Order. And I will also be doing
an advertising print campaign for DuPont.
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