The director Andrei Șerban intervened in the scandal outlined by the show “Prophet Ilie”, drawing attention to the danger that the artistic censorship represents, warning that such actions can lead to “a new form of dictatorship”.
Director Andrei Șerban Photo: Mediafax
Located in New York, Andrei Șerban reacted to the controversy of the show “Prophet Ilie” from the National Theater in Bucharest, pointing out that the current situation can lead to “A new form of dictatorship“.”It’s a very dangerous moment, we need to wake up“, The director said. He made a direct appeal to the Minister of Culture, demanding the protection of freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
The show Prophet Ilie was intensely criticized by some representatives of the society, being considered “an offense brought to Orthodoxy“. In the public space, calls appeared in the protest, and some even suggested the interruption of the representation. The Minister of Culture, Natalia Intotero, called the Control”an unfortunate incident”.
In the face of these reactions, Andrei Șerban expressed his surprise, recalling that the same piece had been mounted in 2010 in Sfântu Gheorghe, without causing controversy. “Why now?! Has there have been such a radical change of attitude in society? Or handling and misinformation Did they even invade the artistic space? To create disorders that can be politically speculated is very fashionable today!“Said the director.
He drew attention to the risks of banning shows based on public pressure, comparing this situation with totalitarian regimes “If we do not all defend the freedom won with the last sacrifice of the young people of December 1989, where will we arrive? When burning books, as during the Nazis?! At the prohibition of films and shows, from the order of a new Stalin?!”, Said Andrei Șerban.
“The only justified censure is the one that the poor quality of a show creates naturally – if no one is interested in it, the tickets do not sell and disappear by themselves ”he added.
Support for TNB leadership
The director also highlighted “the essential contribution“Of the interim director of the National Theater, George Călin, whom he described as a”exceptional manager”, Which contributed to increasing the artistic quality of the theater.
“Open and enthusiastic, respected by the actors and the administrative body, George Călin must be allowed to continue his activity as long as the interim is the preferred mode. Its removal from the TNB leadership will not be well received by most of the group at a time when we need to go forward, not to return to the dictatorial metechs of communist censorship”, Warban warned.
Andrei Șerban’s intervention comes after the Romanian Theater Union (UNITER) reacted firmly, criticizing the wave of negative remarks to the show and cataloging them as “An attack on culture as unfounded, both injust and dangerous”.
Meanwhile, the director of the play, Botond Nagy, received threats and had to file a criminal complaint.
“Let us not be misled by politician calculations and be more or less passive co-authors in establishing a new dictatorship! If we get to figure out when it’s already too late, what good?!”, Concluded Andrei Șerban.
