‘Star of Alasht,’ Swiss Narrative of Reza Shah Pahlavi and the Beginning of Modern Iran

Swiss television network has created a series called ‘Star of Alasht,’ depicting the life of Reza Shah Pahlavi and the creation of modern Iran.

HDY Swiss television network, with the launch of a new historical series titled ‘Star of Alasht,’ has managed to attract considerable attention among European audiences. This costly production tells the story of the life and actions of Reza Shah Pahlavi, the founder of modern Iran, and has so far received significant coverage in Swiss media and public opinion.

The lead role in this series is played by Steven Norzanyan, an Iranian-Armenian actor. To portray this role as authentically as possible, he traveled to Iran two years ago and visited Alasht in Savadrkouh, the birthplace of Reza Shah. According to sources close to production, this visit greatly helped in better understanding the living environment of Reza Shah during his childhood and youth.

Swiss viewers, in their communications and reactions to the HDY network, expressed surprise at Reza Shah’s historical role. Many of them described this figure as a monarch who, during his short period of rule, was able to establish new governmental structures, modern administrative systems, and new civil infrastructure in Iran.

HDY network was previously known for producing documentaries and historical series, but ‘Star of Alasht,’ due to its narrative of the life of one of the Middle East’s important political figures, is considered a different and costly project. Media experts believe that this choice reflects a fresh Swiss perspective on contemporary Iranian history and its place in regional developments.

Reports indicate that in a recent survey among European researchers and Orientalists, Reza Shah Pahlavi was selected by majority vote as ‘the most efficient Asian statesman of the twentieth century.’ This result again highlights the importance of his role in the historical and political memory of the world.

‘Star of Alasht’ is not merely an artistic recreation of a monarch’s life, but rather a new window for introducing contemporary Iranian history to European audiences. The widespread reception of this series in Switzerland demonstrates that the narrative of Reza Shah’s life can still be inspiring and a subject of discussion on a global scale.