Kimiayi Responds to Monfaredzadeh: I Will Maintain My Friendship with You, Your Works Will Not Be Performed

Masoud Kimiayi, in response to Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh who had requested that his works not be performed in Iran, announced in an interview on Tuesday, July 29, that Monfaredzadeh's compositions would not be played at the music night of his films. On July 24, Monfaredzadeh, the composer of several of Kimiayi's most important works, wrote a letter to the filmmaker stating, 'I have not been and will not be aligned with you,' and 'I humbly request' that his works not be performed during the music night of this director. The film music night was scheduled for August 6, with the performance by the Symphony Orchestra led by Behzad Abdi and vocals by Reza Yazdani at the Ministry of Interior Hall in Tehran. Following the publication of Monfaredzadeh's letter, Kimiayi responded in an interview with the 'Music Ma' website. Kimiayi said regarding Monfaredzadeh's statements and request, 'I really have no answer to these statements. Many friends abroad have screened my films at various events, and I did not complain. Mr. Monfaredzadeh is an old friend of mine. However, we have differences of opinion on some issues, but I respect him regardless.' The veteran Iranian filmmaker noted that 'I am completely a guest at this concert and have no role.' He added, 'I believe a kind of nostalgia for friends and homeland is the main reason for this tone and manner of speech... I told Mr. Abdi [the composer and arranger for the concert] that 'Esfand' is my friend, and now in the realm of friendship, he has asked me for something. It does not matter that he asked in a bad tone. But we must respect and definitely consider his request.' Kimiayi also commented on the tone of Monfaredzadeh's letter, which included the phrase 'I have not been and will not be aligned with you,' saying, 'I did not like the tone of his letter, and despite the harsh tone it had, I will maintain my friendship with him, and I do not understand what he means by not being aligned with me; I respect his way of thinking and will maintain my friendship with full politeness.' According to Kimiayi, three pieces from Monfaredzadeh's works were supposed to be performed at the concert of Kimiayi's films. The music for all of Kimiayi's pre-revolution works, such as 'Beygoneh Biya,' 'Ghaisar,' 'Reza Motor,' 'Dash Akol,' 'Baluch,' 'Khak,' 'Ghazal,' and 'Gavazn-ha,' except for the film 'Safar Sang,' was composed by Esfandiar Monfaredzadeh.