Nazanin Boniadi

Women and girls, men and boys all share the right to live free of violence, which is, unfortunately, experienced by both men and women. Women and girls, however, disproportionately experience violence due to a deeply rooted global culture of gender discrimination.

In real life, too, women love to be that girl who tames the bad boy.

It's nice to see different dimensions of a character. A love interest and family life are always, I think, important in creating layers and textures.

Dance connects us to the musicality of life and to one another. No one should be denied such basic pleasures.

Although it is hard to see why any sensible authority would feel threatened by the peaceful expression of one's point of view, there is a long history of trying to repress subversive depictions of political figures - back in the 19th century, for example, France's King Louis Philippe was depicted as a piece of fruit.

A celebrated and hugely popular actress in her native Iran, Ahangarani first landed on the radar of the Iranian authorities for her open support of opposition figure Mir-Hossein Mousavi, which led to her arrest in July 2009 in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election in Iran.

I was very successful, and I graduated with honors. And then I called my dad, who still lives in London, and I said, 'Dad, thanks for college, but I'm going to go act now.' It didn't go over very well.

Generally, I love being part of a project that imparts a positive message, is somehow educational or enlightening, helps to bridge differences, or inspires viewers in some way.

First of all, I'm Middle Eastern; I'm Iranian, so to be playing a leading role in a big Hollywood movie, I think, is possibly one of the first times.

How often do we see a Muslim woman who is intelligent and independent, and has a voice of her own and is career-driven, on American TV?

Medicine, anything academic, is a very Persian Iranian route to take in life, in one's career.

When you or your loved ones escape repression, you often find yourself committed to ensuring that freedom prevails.