My aim was never to be an American star; otherwise, I would have moved to Los Angeles.

In Iran, the women are like Italian women, they rule the house inside. But it's full of life. The history is very rich. The mystic of the Middle Ages. We have to learn from them. They influence all the philosophers when they came to Europe all those many many years ago.

When you make a film, it's a bet. You don't know how the film is going to be, anyway.

Being a famous actress may give you a sense of being important, but believe me, it's just an illusion.

It's challenging as an actor to let go but I had some pleasure out of it too. To not have the effort of having to present myself is quite liberating.

When I won the Oscar, there was something telling me 'this isn't the truth'. I had to get back to real work.

I'm very down-to-earth and accessible, I think.