We haven't evolved a hero story that's female. We're always trying to fit women's stories into this male structure, which is this rising action, this powerful conflict, and this falling action. And I think a female hero story is not that. It's something else.

My family was always wondering why I ended up playing people who were mentally ill, insane, downtrodden, and a little crazy. I think what they don't understand is that most female parts are written basically as hysterical women.

I've never felt terribly attached to acting because I always feel like the world is really big and really interesting, and there are a lot of places that I can put my energy and be fulfilled.

The women I know are smart, interesting people who aren't just there to service the men's stories, so I don't know why our art continues to do that.

And we ought to work our diplomacy first and I think it's a reason it's going to respond increasingly to our diplomacy particularly with the president's direct involvement in the peace process, and I think that's extraordinarily important.

I have to say that my mother is my real hero. I don't know how she managed two kids in one year - my brother and I are ten months apart. But she did a pretty amazing job.

Peace begins with a smile.

People are saying I am against the chador. I am not. On the contrary. I am for traditional family values.