Iranian-American comic explores the tradition of Nowruz through comedy

“I didn’t grow up Iranian because my dad was trying to lay low.”

Born to a Persian dad and an American mom, comedian and documentary-maker K-von Moezzi grew up in Reno, Nevada with very little knowledge about his Iranian heritage. His father immigrated to the United States in the late 1970s, just before the Iranian revolution.

“He wanted to raise his family all-American,” said Moezzi. “He bought a cowboy hat, he bought a pick-up truck and we had the non-Iranian, traditional lifestyle.”

So when he was invited to perform at a Nowruz stand-up comedy event, Moezzi was caught off-guard.

“Nowruz?” he asked the event’s organizers. “What is that?”

Coinciding with the spring equinox, Nowruz, which means “New Day” in Farsi, is observed in Iran, Afghanistan and other nations in Central Asia. Rooted in the ancient religion of Zorastrianism, the holiday lasts for 13 days and has been celebrated for over 3000 years.

He decided to dive in and learn more about his unique heritage and discover the traditions and history behind the ancient holiday that is so important to Iran’s cultural and national identity. His latest feature length documentary, Nowruz: Lost & Found, follows his journey as he travels across the country to learn as much as he can about the holiday with the help of scholars, friends, family and celebrities.

This unique 90-minute blend of comedy, culture, food and dance explores the history of Iran and the connection between Nowruz, Christmas and Easter in a intriguing, funny, and completely honest way.

In addition to being a star on MTV’s “Disaster Date,” K-von appeared on Showtime, Good Morning America and NPR, starred in the comedy-horror film ‘The Gingerdead Man 2,’ and appeared in Guardian Angel and Jimmy Vestvood. He talked to us about his journey so far:

Elan: Tell us a little about your childhood growing up in America. How was it different from other Iranian-American families?

K-von: When my father moved from Iran straight to Reno, NV and was looking to fit in. That meant cowboy hats, pickup trucks, and boots. Often, people of the same ethnicity gravitate to a certain area. You can see that with the Persians in Vancouver (North Van), LA (Westwood), or Orange County (Irvine). But not our family!

Elan: How did you get interested in comedy?

KV: I like to say, I didn’t get into comedy. Comedy got into me. It’s so fun to make people laugh that it becomes addictive. Comedy is worse than any drug. It’s taken away my career, my home, my 401k plan, and many of my girlfriends.

Elan: What made you decide to get into the exploration of your Persian heritage through comedy?

KV: The first thing they tell you when preparing to get on stage is, talk about what’s different and unique to you. Exploring all the humor in an American kid with a Persian dad is great because it’s family friendly, relatable to many that have a foreign parent, and few other comics can tread on the material I’ve created. As you progress in comedy you move on to your perspective on things. Now I have over an hour of jokes that have nothing to do with being Persian.

Elan: How would you describe Nowruz?

KV: I like Nowruz because it is a non-political and non-religious celebration of spring. It’s like the greatest hits of all the other holidays – Easter, Christmas, 4th of July, and a birthday for Mother Nature. Unlike the American New Year where you attempt to get so drunk they can’t remember that last day of the year, instead you spend Nowruz with your family and loved ones, starting the year off right. It requires more thought process as well. There are actual traditions tied to it that makes those who celebrate it more organized (clean your home, buy new clothes, setup the haft seen, visit elders in order, then party). To me, that beats, “Hey were going to watch a tin foil ball drop while pushing and shoving each other in the streets till 3 a.m.” Call me crazy.

Elan: Tell us about your upcoming movie “NOWRUZ: Lost & Found.” What do you want viewers to take away from the film?

KV: Instead of take away- the first thing I want viewers to do is bring friends together to check out the film. I’m talking about non-Persian friends. This movie was made to unveil the shroud of mysteries of the Persian/Iranian culture. We are currently doing a 15 city big-screen movie premiere tour.

So many Persians have messaged me and said “I will try to break plans with my friends and come see your movie. They’re not Persian so they wouldn’t like a movie about Nowruz.” This 100% goes against the whole point of the film. It’s very sad to hear that kind of thinking.

Another question I get a lot is, “Is the movie in English?” So we need to clear up that I don’t speak any Persian, so of course, a movie I make will be in English. If you like to laugh a lot and learn something new at the same time, then come watch “NOWRUZ: Lost & Found” – a fresh new look at an ancient holiday.

Elan: Joking about one’s heritage, whether your own or someone else’s is usually a tricky art to master. Is there a line you dare not cross in your routines?

KV: I really don’t think anything is off limits to joke about. I also am not a big fan of people who pretend to be offended by things so that people get nervous and worried for them. It’s a way of getting attention on their behalf. The challenge is getting people to understand that you only live for a blink of an eye. We might as well make fun of the experiences we have, because life only happens once and then it’s over.

Elan: How did people usually react when you tell them that you don’t know about Nowruz?

KV: Most people also don’t know what NOWRUZ is. More than 300 million people celebrate it, but 5 billion have no clue what it is. I show them my movie and their eyes light up. They have never laughed so hard about a historical holiday. By the time it is done, they can’t wait to find their own Nowruz party and try the food, dancing, and celebration. It’s really been a great thing.

Then there are Iranians who just can’t believe I’ve never heard of the word Nowruz or the holiday. This movie is very good for them to see that they have not made the holiday as well known as they could.

Every year the whole world celebrates St Patrick’s Day, the USA celebrates Cinco De Mayo. It’s time they spread the word to non-Persians and promote Nowruz as a holiday for all to enjoy. I’m just doing my small part and hoping they too will share.

Elan: What are some of the most interesting traditions that you have learned about so far?

KV: The fun thing in my movie is going through each tradition in order – cleaning, buying new clothes, visiting family members, eating, and then partying. There is a reason that you don’t just do one or the other for Nowruz. They all blend into each other like a wonderful Persian rug.

Elan: What has the reception been like so far?

KV: Very good. Everyone has been so blown away that an American Comedian found out so much about NOWRUZ. Many parents show up with their kids or teenagers and say, “My kids never want to do things with the family, but when they heard it was a comedy movie with K-von, they said they wanted to come. Thank you for bringing our family together for something fun.”

Who can argue with that?

One lady didn’t understand the movie when it was done. Her complaint email made my whole team laugh:

“You say dis vas movie about Nowruz. But in film you were telling joke. And then we kept seeing Maz Jobrani talk and Rudi Bakhtiar talk and Firoozeh Dumas talk. You lied and said Nowruz but had people talking. You are bad bad boy and make me mad! I vanted to see just Nowruz party, not dat vhich is talking movie!”

Elan: What do you say to people who don’t understand you or who cry foul at some of your comments?

KV: I’ve saved her email and will always cherish it. I like ignorant people because they make for so much great standup comedy material. Just a heads up, people are “talking” in my documentary comedy film. Each of those fascinating celebs and scholars share their story, which weaves the journey as I find out about the holiday for the first time. So if you don’t like it, go hang out with that lady who sent me the email.

Elan: What’s next for you? Is there any chance of a Middle East tour coming up soon?

KV: Germany, London, and the Middle East have reached out for both the movie and my comedy tour. Maybe I will bring both of those programs overseas. For now, we are slammed with dates across North America, so they better contact us soon to reserve the spot. I’m very lucky to be able to travel and meet so many great people around the world through comedy and now the movie.

For more information about K-von and his new movie, check out www.Kvon.tv or order the Nowruz movie on www.GoFundMe.com/NOWRUZ.