In the Spring of 2015, a man randomly met a theater technician on a bus in Antwerp. Claiming to be the famous American film/theater maker Zachary Oberzan, the man was soon introduced to the senior staff of deSingel Internationale Kunstcampus, where he promised to create a new work using them as actors and their theater as the location. After a week of rehearsals, the staff grew suspicious, the man was revealed as an imposter, and was arrested by Belgian police for fraud. Renowned Iranian filmmaker Abbas Kiarostami read about this minor incident, and deeply intrigued, filmed the trial and re-constructed the events leading up to it. What we discover is the very complex story of a man torn by profound issues of identity, frustration, and artistic creation that spill over into our own lives, as we ourselves struggle with what role each of us are to play in the world. The Great Pretender is Oberzan’s latest filmic performance hybrid, combining a feature film, live theater, and live reconstructions of Elvis Presley concerts.
Zachary Oberzan is a founding member of the theater collective Nature Theater of Oklahoma, based in New York City. With Nature Theater, he collaborated and performed in numerous productions, including Poetics: a ballet brut, the Obie-winning No Dice, and the one-man show Rambo Solo. His feature film Flooding with Love for The Kid is a one-man cinematic war shot and edited in its entirety by Zachary (portraying all 26 roles) in his 220 square foot apartment in Manhattan, made for $96. Created in 2007 and never intended for public viewing, it continues to screen internationally in cinemas, theaters, art institutes and film festivals.
Conceived, directed, designed, adapted, cinematography, edited, performed by: Zachary Oberzan
Inspired by: Abbas Kiarostami & Hussein Sabzian
Backing vocalists: Maya Mertens & Diede Blok
Dramaturge, producer, manager: Nicole Schuchardt
Light, sound, video technician: David Lang
Stage consultant: Eike Böttcher
Costume design: Dorothea Andrae