A car has exploded in Stockholm. Amor is wandering around a paranoid city full of police, on the hunt for a spare part for a drill. He has a phone in his front pocket and a knife in his back pocket. He will answer when Shavi calls; he will stop stalking Valeria, and above all: he will act maximally normal. But what is normal behavior? Who is a potential suspect? And what happens when one becomes the target of suspicious glances? For 24 intense hours we find ourselves in Amor’s head, where the lines between criminal and victim, love and chemistry, and paranoia and reality become increasingly fuzzy.
The play is based on a column that
Jonas Hassen Khemiri published in December, 2010 — one week after the suicide bombing in Stockholm. The play has also been released as a
book.
The cast consists of Kardo Razzazi (Amor), Angelica Radvolt,
Gloria Tapia and Pablo Leiva Wenger. Set and costume design:
York Landgraf. Light design: Carina Persson.
The play will be opening at Malmö stadsteater and then touring all over Sweden, and then playing at the
Arcola theatre in London in April 2013. Tickets for some of the venues are already available, check out
Malmö stadsteater and
Riksteatern.
“We accuse Europe of continual human rights violations and the systematic mistreatment of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants!”
People who flee to Europe are often met with disbelief and suspicion. Many are directly deported at the borders, despite risking their lives. Others are held up in prison-like detention centres lacking basic human rights. Once inside Europe, people are subjected to lengthy and complex asylum processes, often without legal advice. The vast majority of asylum applications are rejected, forcing people to return to extreme dangers. In order to survive, many choose to live hidden without any legal rights.
At Tribunal 12, Europe will be held accountable for these failures.
Inspired by the International War Crimes Tribunal that was formed by Bertrand Russell and Jean-Paul Sartre in 1967, Tribunal 12 sets out to locate the moral, legal and political responsibilities as well as call for a change within the system.
Farnaz Arbabi is one of the artistic directors behind this tribunal, that will be held in Stockholm on 12 May 2012 and broadcasted all over Europe.
Join the accusation and read more here.
In April 2011 Arbabi directed the radio version of Jonas Hassen Khemiris play Invasion!. Some of the cast from the original show at Stockholms stadsteater came in to the studio to work with the characters again. The radio version was also a success. It aired three times and is now available on request from Sveriges radio.
DROTTNING KRISTINA (original title Queen Christina) is a British play written by Pam Gems. This feministic piece tells the story of a girl brought up as a boy and her attempts to find out who she is and what she wants. The Swedish queen Christina has inspired and intrigued many, the fact that she chose to abdicate and convert to catholicism, which at the time was the religion of the enemy.
The play was written in the 1970’s, but this production, with new music composed by Jenny Wilson, is a modern piece, where director Arbabi worked specifically with feminine and masculine movements on stage.
The play premiered in April 2010.
Farnaz Arbabi is currently rehearsing the play Queen Christina by Pam Gems, opening April 29th at Stockholms stadsteater. The music will be specially composed by artist Jenny Wilson, set design by Jenny Kronberg, costumes by Lena Lindgren and starring Vanna Rosenberg as the Swedish queen Christina.
UD I KULDEN (original title Kohti kylmempää) is a Finnish play written by Leea Klemola. In this crazy, apocalyptic comedy a group of people are set to move to Greenland to start a new society. With a Finnish play, an all-Swedish team and the Danish Nørrebro theatre producing, the performance pin pointed the differences between the Scandinavian countries, and some Danish critics failed to understand the dark Finnish and subtle Swedish humor.
The performance was a visual feast with costume designer Lena Lindgrens collection of winter clothes and set designer Jenny Kronbergs hot dog stand surrounded by cartoon style ice bergs. Video director David Giese designed about 15 video sequences.
The play premiered in December 2009.
