Mani Soleymanlou was born in Iran before his family emigrated to Paris, then Toronto. His journey ultimately led him to Montreal, where he studied at the National Theater School, from which he graduated in 2008. Passionate about theater, he stands out today on the screen, notably in series as In Memory, Before the Crashand in the new series Crows, available on illico+. He plays police chief Karim Benali. He shares with us his fascinating journey as well as the importance of family in his journey.
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Mani, tell us about your character in the new crime thriller Crows.
Karim Benali is the head of investigators at the SQ. He is a tired and somewhat gruff man of conviction. Its goal is to resolve problems without losing face in the eyes of the public and the authorities. He decides to pair two investigators who have never worked together. Clémence (Pascale Bussières) is considering retirement, which is why he decides to pair her with newcomer Gabrielle (Mylène MacKay), a formidable young investigator from the North Shore. He is far from suspecting that the case – quite simple from the outset – on which he pairs them will shed light on something more complex, sordid and dark.
The filming of the third season ofBefore the Crash have they started?
We start filming this spring. We are all looking forward to seeing each other again. We can’t wait to see where our characters go. Patrick is a character that viewers can easily identify with, as he brings a more human touch to this group of sharks. He is a father who highlights very real social pressure. Many fathers have written to me to share this duality that they experience on a daily basis, between their aspirations and their role as parents.
Do you still have your theater company, the Drowned Orange?
Yes! At the moment, I am working on a new creation at TNM, Classic(s)which will be presented in mid-March. It’s a project that I’m writing with Fanny Britt. We have an exceptional cast, which includes Julie Le Breton, Benoit McGinnis, Jean-Moïse Martin, Martin Drainville, Madelaine Sarr, Louise Cardinal, Kathleen Fortin and myself. It’s a project that takes up my entire daily life outside of filming.
Where does the name of the company, l’Orange Noyée, come from?
I am of Iranian origin, and every year during the Iranian New Year, which coincides with the first day of spring, we celebrate Nowruz. We prepare a table on which we have seven elements which each hold a symbolism. There is also a bowl of water with an orange, which represents the earth floating in the universe. When I created my first show in 2009, I was looking for a name for my company. It was March 21, the day of Nowrouz celebration, and we were staying with friends. I was explaining this celebration to them, when suddenly the image of the orange, of the earth floating in the water, struck me. This image seemed to me a powerful way to portray our times. Nowruz, I try to mark it every year. I have fun preparing an Iranian meal with friends. I try to maintain this tradition for my son Oscar. My girlfriend, the actress Sophie Cadieux, loves it too!
You left Tehran with your family when you were still a child.
Exactly! We first went to live in Paris, then in Toronto.
What brought you to Montreal?
In high school in Toronto, while I was playing basketball, a theater teacher came up to me and asked, “Do you want to be in the theater group?” I tried it and quickly realized that I loved it. This same teacher then gave me a brochure from the National Theater School of Montreal. He was the one who opened my eyes to this profession. I think he saw potential in me. I left the National School in 2008.
Do you have memories of Iran?
Even though I left when I was a child, I have memories of Iran, where I spent all my school holidays until I was 15. I talked about it a lot in my shows. I sometimes wonder to what extent I have romanticized them, but it is certain that images of Iran still cross my mind very often.
In your show Zeropresented in 2019, you immersed us in the story of your father.
In my first show, Andcreated in 2010, I was already talking about my country of origin. Later, at the age of 80, my father told me the real reasons for his departure from Iran. My son Oscar was only four years old then. It took me back to my relationship with my country. I wondered how I could tell my son about this country. What am I conveying to him? When my father left Iran, he was the age I was in 2019, when I wrote my play. All of this created a link between my past and my father’s story.
And how do you pass on your Iranian roots to your son?
I am not passing the language on to my son, and I may regret it one day. I can talk to him about the family, about my comings and goings… I hope one day we can visit Iran together.
Your partner since 2009, the actress Sophie Cadieux, and you designed a house with truly surprising architecture!
We collaborated with the architect Jean Verville. For a year, we exchanged ideas, images, influences and passions. This resulted in a unique house, a living playground. This architectural research was a real game changer for Sophie and me. It strengthened our bond. It helped us define our needs and desires. We did this in the middle of a pandemic. It kept us busy, active and creative, when everything had stopped. We usually refuse to work together, but we created this together. Sophie and I have two shared creations: our house and our son.
Why not work together in your professional life?
At home, we prefer to talk about our projects and exchange our points of view. This allows us to maintain a space of mutual admiration. When we discover the work of others, we are always moved by their sensitivity. It is essential to preserve this mystery, this part of beauty in the other, to which we do not have access.
Could this be one of the secrets of your unity, of your beautiful love story?
Absolutely!
It is very important to mention that you have been artistic director of the NAC French Theater since 2021.
Yes, and it’s very important for me to say this, because it’s a big ship. It’s the only French-speaking national scene in America, and we repeat it often so that people become aware of the magnitude of the thing. I am very proud of it!
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