Yousef, Joseph, Giuseppe

Yousef, Joseph, Giuseppe is a jinnography in the guise of a play; a jinnography about war, as told by the jinn-possessed.

Ali Foumani is a poet, writer, and theater director. His poems and short stories were published in Iranian literary magazines during the 1990s and 2000s, and his first poetry collection was released in 2013 by Nogaam Publishing in London. Several of his plays have been staged by Iranian directors, though none of his works have been permitted for publication in Iran. Foumani has directed productions of his own plays as well as works by Anton Chekhov, Harold Pinter, Tennessee Williams, and Samuel Beckett in Iran, the UAE, Canada, and the United States. Alongside his writing and directing, he has been active in education for over two decades. In addition to designing curricula and teaching literature, social sciences, and performing arts, he has conducted dozens of courses and workshops for students, artists, and educators in Iran and abroad. In 2024, Asemana Books released his play The Siberian Crane.

He notes: "Yousef, Joseph, Giuseppe was born amidst the fanfare of reformism in Iran, on the ruins of the University of Tehran's dormitory, only to be denied at once-its case closed within the mansion of the chocolate-colored cloak. Amidst the fury of dust and debris during the Green Movement, it was revived by devoted souls; yet its performance was banned at Molavi Hall, its case sealed in the nightmare of the Man with the Spring Jacket. In the fever of prudence and hope, it was picked up again through the efforts of another resilient crowd; but, deemed a threat for its dangerous content, the doors of City Theater were shut to it, its case once more closed under the shadow of the purple robe. And yet, Yousef, Joseph, Giuseppe-by some, in ways crooked or straight, on stages seen and unseen-was brought to life, so that today, far from home, it may rest upon the feast of paper, so that it may once again take flight... so that the case may remain open..."