A good musician brings music to life: Entezami
The 59-year-old artist has been lauded and awarded at Iranian and foreign festivals. Following is the text of an interview with Entezami conducted by the festival’s daily bulletin:
Q: What do you expect from society after your long musical career?
A: Iranian artists are generally content. In fact, people also pay very much attention to them in Iran. However, I don’t expect anything from people but I do expect something from the government. In my opinion, there should be an organization to support Iranian artists and help them meet their essential needs. I was once sick for eight years and my medicine was very expensive. Unfortunately, Iranian officials didn’t even pay the least attention to me. At the same time, people called and expressed their heartfelt feelings about me and my family.
Q: What’s the influence of the soundtrack on a film in your opinion?
A: Films fall into three categories in Iran. First, there are so-called experimental movies, made to be screened at film festivals. The directors of such films believe that the soundtrack detracts the audience and causes them to not understand the film’s dialogue completely. Hence, they prefer not to use soundtracks in most films of this kind. Second, some films use a soundtrack which plays a complementary role and helps the audience analyze the images. In the third type of film, the soundtrack is meant to compensate for the film’s shortcomings, which is impossible.
Q: Do you think it’s possible for a bad movie to become a good one with the aid of a soundtrack?
A: There is no possibility for a bad film to become a good one through a good soundtrack. But a good soundtrack can improve an average film.
Q: Have you ever insisted to a film’s director that a particular soundtrack be used?
A: Rarely. I prefer to create music which can satisfy both me and the director.
Q: What’s the best time for a composer to write a film soundtrack?
A: In most cases the composer starts his job after the film’s editing is over. However, I was asked to compose soundtracks for the films “Day of the Event” directed by Shahram Asadi and “Saint Mary” directed by Shahryar Bahrani before the screenplays were completed. The hardest time to compose a soundtrack for a movie is when it must be prepared to be shown at a film festival.
Q: Do you believe that a single theme should be maintained in a film’s soundtrack?
A: It depends on the director’s taste to a great extent. In most cases, it’s possible to compose a soundtrack with a single theme and elaborate on it during the film through variations. I believe that a soundtrack should be developed in accordance with the direction of the film’s plot.
Q: What’s the typical quality of the soundtrack you composed for Iranian director Ebrahim Hatamikia’s film “From the Karkheh to the Rhine” that still lingers in the memory of Iranians?
A: The situation in which the film was screened and also the film’s characteristics caused the soundtrack to become popular. I have composed more beautiful pieces which I have not released yet, since they are likely to be copied by cheats and sold at a vary lower price. I compose a song for my own satisfaction. Only my own music can comfort me in times of sorrow. I must be totally satisfied with my soundtrack composition in order to submit it to the director. Then I will go on to focus on the next one.
Q: What’s the role of professional musicians in the performance of a musical piece?
A: They play a very important role like an actor in a film. An actor may beautify a movie through his/her skills or he/she may spoil the film’s desired effect. A good musician is able to bring music to life. For example, Andreh Arzumanian is a talented pianist who can play a piece with a single glance at the sheet music and I don’t need to explain it for him.
Q: What’s your wife’s influence on your career?
A: She is a composer and also plays harp. She has BA’s in music and philosophy. She is more of a friend for me than a wife. She accompanies me to the recording studio and even sleeps there if my job lasts too long. I was very lucky to marry such a woman.
Q: Do you think that we should stick to traditional and folk music or not?
A: I think that it’s not right to insist on a particular type of music. Many directors prefer a soundtrack to have a folkloric theme.
Q: Whose works do you listen to usually?
A: I usually listen to my own pieces. However, I really like works by James Horner. There are beautiful harmonies in John Williams’ works and Bernard Herrmann always fascinates me with his orchestra. Jerry Goldsmith and Maurice Jarre are also exceptional composers.
Q: How did the awards and honors you have received influence your career?
A: Each of them makes my task heavier. I have made efforts to reach this level. I don’t know who chose me to be honored at this year’s Fajr film festival. However, I thank all of them.