SHOKWAVE: Shohreh Aghdashloo's devilish portrayal of Dina Araz in 24 Hits France. She was Interviewed by Télé Star's Frank Ragaine.
Loved or hated Shohreh Aghdashloo's seems to equally push the boundaries of provocation and glitter particularly for her bold film choices but also for being a staunch supporter of Iranian actors and artists of the Diaspora. She was to surprise and even divide Iranians with her frequent critical attacks on another exiled compatriot, the Iconic Diva Singer Googoosh , whose Star Status is hardly deniable but who she accuses of belittling the LA based Iranian Artist community. While the debate has mostly amused her fans or her detractors it may be interesting to try and understand her approach as an actress whose Life and Art represent that of a new generation brutally confronted to the turmoil's of history and exile.
Shohreh Aghdashloo (53 years old) is one of Hollywood's most desired actors and one of the major heroes of the Thriller 24; A glory that does not make her forget her painful past …
TELE STAR: Was playing a terrorist knowing that you are Iranian a problem ?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Yes of course it did. All the more that I did not wish to represent people from the Middle East as terrorists. It does not correspond to the reality. However once I agreed to do the role, I invested myself entirely.
TS: How ?
SA: By watching several episodes of 24 (laughter). I have to admit I didn't know the series. I wrote a small story and tried to imagine Dina's (her character) past, how she met her husband, there trips …
TS: Yourself you fled Iran …
SA: Yes, at the time of the Islamic republic. It was unsupportable, I could not accept a religious regime. I was a modern Women born in a family of intellectuals. It was out of the question to live suppressed. Back in 78, I took a car with two friends and we headed for Great Britain
.
TS: You were already an actress then ?
SA: Yes and even considered a Star. But when I came to Europe, I abandoned my acting career and studied political science. I wanted to help my country to get out of the mess. I got a degree in international relations. I was about to work in a newspaper in England when a friend gave me a part in a play. We came to the Us to present it and it was an immediate success. So I thought to myself that I could also be useful to my country by simply being an actress. I landed in Hollywood in 1987.
TS: Do you feel good here ?
SA: Yes I do, and I live with my husband (Houshang Touzie) also an actor and our daughter Tara. I love making movies. I played in this Fall's box office hit The exorcism of Emily Rose and in X-Men 3. I also played in a movie which will be released next year with Keenu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
TS: You still didn't say anything about Kiefer Sutherland …
SA: He is an excellent actor and a gentleman, and Jack Bauer is an extraordinary hero. Since we know he will never die, everything is perfect !
Loved or hated Shohreh Aghdashloo's seems to equally push the boundaries of provocation and glitter particularly for her bold film choices but also for being a staunch supporter of Iranian actors and artists of the Diaspora. She was to surprise and even divide Iranians with her frequent critical attacks on another exiled compatriot, the Iconic Diva Singer Googoosh , whose Star Status is hardly deniable but who she accuses of belittling the LA based Iranian Artist community. While the debate has mostly amused her fans or her detractors it may be interesting to try and understand her approach as an actress whose Life and Art represent that of a new generation brutally confronted to the turmoil's of history and exile.
Shohreh Aghdashloo (53 years old) is one of Hollywood's most desired actors and one of the major heroes of the Thriller 24; A glory that does not make her forget her painful past …
TELE STAR: Was playing a terrorist knowing that you are Iranian a problem ?
Shohreh Aghdashloo: Yes of course it did. All the more that I did not wish to represent people from the Middle East as terrorists. It does not correspond to the reality. However once I agreed to do the role, I invested myself entirely.
TS: How ?
SA: By watching several episodes of 24 (laughter). I have to admit I didn't know the series. I wrote a small story and tried to imagine Dina's (her character) past, how she met her husband, there trips …
TS: Yourself you fled Iran …
SA: Yes, at the time of the Islamic republic. It was unsupportable, I could not accept a religious regime. I was a modern Women born in a family of intellectuals. It was out of the question to live suppressed. Back in 78, I took a car with two friends and we headed for Great Britain
.
TS: You were already an actress then ?
SA: Yes and even considered a Star. But when I came to Europe, I abandoned my acting career and studied political science. I wanted to help my country to get out of the mess. I got a degree in international relations. I was about to work in a newspaper in England when a friend gave me a part in a play. We came to the Us to present it and it was an immediate success. So I thought to myself that I could also be useful to my country by simply being an actress. I landed in Hollywood in 1987.
TS: Do you feel good here ?
SA: Yes I do, and I live with my husband (Houshang Touzie) also an actor and our daughter Tara. I love making movies. I played in this Fall's box office hit The exorcism of Emily Rose and in X-Men 3. I also played in a movie which will be released next year with Keenu Reeves and Sandra Bullock.
TS: You still didn't say anything about Kiefer Sutherland …
SA: He is an excellent actor and a gentleman, and Jack Bauer is an extraordinary hero. Since we know he will never die, everything is perfect !
!
.
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