Born to Afghan immigrant parents and armed with a double degree in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Afzali initially set her sights on what she thought would be a career in either law or international affairs. However, she was pulled into the acting world, leading to her breakout role in Rule Breakers.
In Rule Breakers, she plays Esin, a determined young woman in Afghanistan’s first all-female robotics team — a story inspired by the real-life Afghan Dreamers. Afzali’s journey to this role is as compelling as the film.
Afzali shares her audition experience, her personal connections with her character, Esin, and the importance of representation in film. She also opens up about her thoughts on girls in STEM, her upbringing as the daughter of immigrants, and how she hopes to use her platform to advocate for change.
Insights: Lessons from Amber Afzali
- Utilize personal experiences and heritage to enhance character authenticity.
- Invest in research, coaching, and skill development for accurate portrayals.
- Leverage acting success to advocate for meaningful social change.
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You star as Esin in the movie Rule Breakers, about Afghanistan’s First All-Female Robotics Team. Tell us about your audition.
I had the audition for Rule Breakers back in February 2022. It was my very first audition coming back into the industry as an adult! My first thought upon receiving the breakdown was shock and awe that someone was making a film in Hollywood about Afghanistan that didn’t center around war but around women and their resilience!
I received the sides for Taara and eventually Esin from my rep and did a few self-tapes, which was nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time. I think because I was so green, I didn’t let all of the technical aspects of a self tape affect me. I had a ring light with a white wall in my student apartment, and I asked one of my college friends to read the sides with me. I did a few takes and worked hard to bring Esin’s character to life in the tape, even working with a coach briefly before auditioning.
When I read for Esin, I knew it was a role I had to pursue. I felt an instant connection to her journey of finding her voice, and I was hopeful I would get the opportunity to portray her.
In March, while on spring break in Puerto Vallarta, my manager told me I had a Zoom callback. I took over the cramped hotel room for an hour struggling to find a blank wall and decent lighting, ultimately deciding to sit by the window and in a small corner that had the least amount of decor on the wall. The callback went smoothly, and I had a chance to talk to Bill Guttentag, the director. A month later, we had a chemistry reading session, and I still wasn’t sure if I had the role.
On April 13th, I was watching The Northman at the University of Penn’s campus theater and saw I missed a call from my manager. I immediately called back after the showing and was told “Hey…how would you like to go to Romania and Ireland?!” Those were the tentative filming locations at the time. It later ended up filming in Morocco and Hungary, which was equally exciting! I nearly screamed and was so grateful and excited: a complete flood of emotions.
I went back to my apartment, hopped on a video call with my parents and told them the good news while recording their reactions. I was fortunate to have my first booking happen so seamlessly, it felt like a sign that I was on the right path. I couldn’t have been more thrilled!
Rule Breakers explores themes of rebellion and defiance. Did you personally relate to any aspects of the story?
Absolutely! There’s so much about Esin’s story that I connected with, especially her finding her voice and ultimately utilizing it in moments to take a stand for what she believes in. Like Esin, I’ve experienced a journey of breaking out of my shell and finding my voice. I have also had moments where I’ve had to use my voice to establish my path and beliefs in front of people who did not agree with me.
I think rebellion, in the sense of fighting for what you believe in and challenging what you’re told, is possible. It’s something I’ve felt in my life. Whether it was in my decision to pursue acting alongside my education or in advocating for women’s rights, I think the message of defiance in Rule Breakers is powerful and relatable for many people, especially women from cultures where they’re told to stay silent.
How did you prepare for this role? Did you do any special research or training?
I was lucky to have known about the team before even receiving the audition. They were a big deal, and I knew that I wanted to do everything in my power to portray them and their experiences authentically and vibrantly. I did a lot of research before stepping into Esin’s shoes. I watched documentaries about the Afghan Dreamers, learned about the robotics team’s journey and even spoke with Roya Mahboob and Elaha Mahboob to get a deeper understanding of their experiences before filming.
In addition to working with an acting coach, I also worked with a dialect coach to make sure I could authentically portray Esin’s accent, which was important for making her feel real and grounded. Beyond that, I also did a lot of internal work, reflecting on my own experiences with finding my voice and trusting myself.
Speaking with family members on their experiences in Afghanistan and their perspectives on the culture was also helpful. Esin’s journey was a mix of personal and professional research for me, and it helped me connect with her character.
Before you became part of Rule Breakers, what was your take on girls and STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)?
Before Rule Breakers, I always knew that there was a lack of representation of girls in STEM fields, but I wasn’t fully aware of all of the incredible feats that women were surmounting in STEM and the wonderful inventions they were creating.
Working on this film opened my eyes to the incredible challenges and the immense power that these young women possess. I’ve always been passionate about education and empowering young girls, but doing so much research on the true story of the Afghan Dreamers gave me a deeper respect for how intelligent and innovative women are in the STEM field, as well as all of the barriers they have to face, especially when they come from regions like Afghanistan. These girls proved that no matter how difficult the journey, education and innovation can change the world.
You’re the daughter of Afghan immigrants and attended the University of Pennsylvania, where you earned dual degrees in Political Science with a focus on International Relations and Psychology. Tell us about your journey growing up. What was it like balancing your cultural heritage with life in the U.S.? How did your upbringing shape your ambitions, both academically and creatively? Were there any particular challenges or moments of inspiration that led you toward acting? How did your studies in political science and psychology influence your approach to storytelling and the characters you play?
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, and I moved to the Inland Empire (California) when I was eight years old. Growing up with Afghan immigrant parents meant I was deeply connected to my cultural heritage, but I also had to navigate life in the U.S., where my experience didn’t always align with those around me. I am very grateful that my parents taught me our native language and were adamant about maintaining our cultural traditions.
My parents emphasized education, which shaped my academic ambitions; and my love for storytelling grew alongside my academic interests. My parents put me and my sister into acting classes when we first moved to California, hoping to break me out of my shell and to also allow my sister to explore her wonderful, creative self. It worked and I fell in love with acting!
Choosing to focus on my education, though, I ultimately put acting on the back burner and I found other ways to be creative in school. I joined public speaking in middle school where I even competed in storytelling two years in a row, one time telling the story of Ali Baba and The 40 Thieves to hundreds of people. In high school, I was involved in student government, emceeing events as different characters and campaigning with elaborate themes.
In college, I originally thought I’d pursue law or international affairs, but after some self-reflection during the pandemic, I decided to give acting a shot. I still had the same love for it as I did when I was a kid and it turns out, I had a knack for it! My studies in political science and psychology have been hugely influential in how I approach characters. Political science helped me understand systems and power dynamics, while psychology gave me insight into human behavior, which has been invaluable in portraying complex, multidimensional characters like Esin.
You went from going to college with the hopes of attending law school post-undergrad and eventually wanting to pursue a career in either law or international affairs, to acting. Why the career switch? Do you still plan on going to law school or have you changed gears?
Making the shift to acting wasn’t an easy decision, especially since I felt so committed to going to law school and partaking in international affairs for so long. I had spent years working toward a career in law, but as I began to explore acting, I realized that it was something I just had to do. I had to give it a chance because of how much I loved it and enjoyed having this creative outlet.
The transition was tough because I felt guilty about abandoning one dream, but over time I came to understand that I didn’t need to fit into one box. My passion for acting allows me to express myself, and it can be part of my activism as well. As for law school, who knows? I don’t feel the pressure to follow one specific path anymore, and I’m open to seeing where both acting and activism can take me. I still have hopes to go to law school one day, but for now, I’m pursuing what makes me happy and fulfilled, and that’s acting!
Coming from an immigrant family, how do you feel about the current U.S. administration’s approach to immigration and related policies? Has your background influenced your perspective on these issues?
Coming from an immigrant family, I’m deeply aware of the challenges refugees and immigrants face. My grandparents came to the U.S. with the hope of building a better life, and I know from their stories just how difficult it can be to start fresh in a new country.
I have also spoken with refugees at a refugee camp in Greece about their experiences, which was both enlightening and heartbreaking. That’s why the current approach to immigration policies hurts me deeply. We need policies that prioritize humanity, compassion, and opportunity for people who are seeking a better life. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to offer a helping hand to those in need, and I believe the U.S. can welcome people with open arms, which is unfortunately not what we are seeing.
The current administration’s approach to immigration is a tragedy. The threat of suspending refugee programs and deporting individuals is unfathomable and seems cruel, especially when you feel as I do that everyone has a right to build a better life for themselves. I also think it will have serious and potentially dangerous repercussions on all members of society that will be felt across the nation.
You speak several languages including Dari, Persian, Spanish and Arabic. You can also do accents such as Australian, British, French, Mexican, Middle Eastern, New York (Bronx), New York (Brooklyn), Russian, Southern, Spanish and West Indian. Where’d you learn how to perfect these accents and what was your reason for doing so?
I wouldn’t say that I am perfect by any means in these languages and accents, but I’ve always found them fascinating. It started as a hobby, really — something fun I could do to connect with different cultures. Dari is my native tongue, and I learned Spanish in school, but I’m still working on perfecting my Persian and Arabic which I further practiced in college.
Languages are tricky, and they’re not like riding a bike; if you don’t use them, you lose them! I’ve had to find creative ways to keep up with them, and I hope to continue building on my skills. As for accents, I started mimicking characters I saw on screen as a kid, whether it was a mobster in New York or a lady from high society in Britain. Over time, I took my curiosity further and started watching YouTube videos to improve them.
For Rule Breakers, I was fortunate to have dialect coaching to master the accent needed for the role. Ultimately, accents and languages have become a way for me to connect with different places and people, and I hope they’ll also prepare me for roles in the future. It’s something I’ll keep working on because it’s a part of my creative journey.
What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to pursue their dreams but feel held back by family expectations or cultural pressures?
My advice would be to stay true to yourself and trust your instincts. You have the power to carve your path, even if it doesn’t align with what others expect of you. The expectations of others can be daunting, but you are the one who has to live your life. Don’t be afraid to pursue what makes you happy and passionate. I know it’s tough, especially when it feels like you’re going against the grain, but the only way to truly succeed is by following your heart. And if that’s multiple different things, so be it! Don’t box yourself in. Most importantly, you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on your support system and know that the right people will always be there for you.
What’s next for you? Do you have any upcoming projects we should keep an eye out for?
Right now, I’m focused on promoting Rule Breakers and all the excitement surrounding its release. It has been such a rewarding experience to be a part of this film, and I’m looking forward to seeing how audiences respond.
As for what’s next, nothing I can share right now, but I’m excited for audiences to see me grow as an actor and continue telling meaningful stories. I can’t wait to keep playing more dynamic characters that get audiences to reflect on themselves and the world around them.
Anything else you want to say?
I would just like to say thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. I couldn’t have done any of this without my family, my amazing team and my friends who keep me grounded. I also want to shout out to all the organizations that are helping refugees and advocating for women’s rights, specifically Aseel and Dråpen i Havet. We all need to keep fighting for a better world, and if you’re in a position to help, do it. I truly believe that by supporting each other and lifting each other, we can make the world a better place for everyone.
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