Even as a small child, Enissa Amani and her family had to flee from Iran to Germany. Contrasts awaited her there: She grew up in Frankfurt am Main, the city of capitalism, and with parents with communist ideas.
And it is precisely these contrasts that are one of the themes of her new program "Mainblick". She actually wants to be politically active all the time, but on the other hand she would also like to simply have the latest and coolest products. We met the German-Persian for an interview.
Why is your new program called "Mainblick"?
Firstly, it's a reference to my German hometown of Frankfurt am Main. And secondly, it reflects my point of view, i.e. "My View". I don't like funny program names like that, I wanted something more like a book title.
What is important to you in the program?
First and foremost, I want to offer people a great evening. I also incorporate socially critical topics into the program, so my program is half comedy, half cabaret.
How much is improvised?
A lot, I love improvisation. That's the live effect, otherwise you could watch the whole thing on TV.
What do you particularly like about the job?
For me, the greatest thing is when other comedians call me and ask me if I can write something for them on a certain topic. I had to fight for my name, I was exposed to a lot of prejudice. People laughed at me just because of my appearance, my clothes or my participation in pageants. But I often get the feedback that I surprised them. The fact that a woman who likes to wear make-up and dresses like me likes to read doesn't fit into many people's pigeonholes.
You don't mince your words when it comes to political issues either.
No, why should I? That's what people like about me. I stand by my point of view and my opinion. When I was on Markus Lanz once and gave my opinion on the Iranian government, some people said: "You didn't have to say right away that they're terrible barbarians." So I give my opinion, but in a funny way. I don't want to explain like a teacher how the people in the audience should live their lives.
"I'm not a political journalist, but I still say what I think." - Enissa Amani
Are you still allowed to enter Iran?
I don't know. The last time I was in Iran was ten years ago and everything went well. But I'm not a political journalist, but I still say what I think. I don't even know if I dare to travel to Iran. It could all go well, but they could also detain me for certain statements. The arbitrariness is great.
Some of your family live there.
Yes, I couldn't go to grandma and grandpa's funeral, for example, because I didn't know if everything would go smoothly. Nevertheless, I don't feel as if my home has been taken away from me. I have my roots in Iran and I feel at home in Germany.
How did you come into contact with comedy?
I had nothing to do with comedy and cabaret. I knew the cabaret artist Volker Pispers, who I still think is great, and then I knew Bülent Ceylan and Kaya Yanar from television. I had never seen a comedy program either. I still realize today that I like it when people like what I write. And it's the same on stage.
Were you already the clown during breaks as a child?
I wasn't at all. I babbled a lot, but I was never the one who liked to tell jokes. But often the people who were very funny at school or among friends are the ones who can't do that on stage. I originally came from writing. I now do a lot for other comedians, and I was the head writer for my own show. That's where my love of storytelling comes from.
What's the funniest thing about Switzerland?
The dialect, of course, it's totally cute. And I once had an experience: I give away a meet & greet for every appearance on Instagram. I was recently on a flight within Germany and someone approached me: "Hey, I won the meet & greet with you in Zurich, can we take the photo now?" That was a funny coincidence. I then said: "Yes, now you don't need the meet & greet anymore." But of course he gets it anyway.
ENISSA AMANI LIVE "MAINBLICK"
22.09.17, Theater Spirgarten Zurich
23.09.17, Rhypark Basel
TICKETS
