Verbeek & Reynolds on “The Wolf, the Fox, and the Leopard” – Tribeca Interview
- The fight for basic human rights, especially for women, continues globally.
- Amber Afzali, born in Las Vegas to Afghan immigrant parents, discovered her passion for acting early.
- Aayush Sharma: How has your journey unfolded, balancing acting with activism and your studies in political science?
Amber Afzali‘s inspiring story in “Rule Breakers,” a film celebrating the Afghan Dreamers, is the focus of this essential interview. Discover how Afzali connected with Esin‘s journey, fueled by her Afghan heritage and passion for acting. She delves into the challenges these young women faced and the vital role of women’s rights and education—the primary_keyword—in Afghanistan. News directory 3 presents Afzali’s insights into portraying an Afghan girl while navigating the complexities of activism, acting, and political science—the secondary_keyword—a powerful story. Get ready to be moved; explore the impact of “rule Breakers” and find out what’s next for Afzali.
Amber Afzali on ‘Rule Breakers’ & the Afghan Dreamers’ Inspiring Story
Updated June 12, 2025
The fight for basic human rights, especially for women, continues globally. The story of the Afghan Dreamers, a group of young Afghan women who defied obstacles to showcase their innovations, exemplifies resilience. Bill Guttentag’s ‘Rule Breakers,’ tells their inspiring story, highlighting hope for girls in Afghanistan. Amber Afzali delivers a compelling performance as esin.
Amber Afzali, born in Las Vegas to Afghan immigrant parents, discovered her passion for acting early. She balanced her acting aspirations with a degree in Political Science, emphasizing International Relations.In this interview, Coastal House Media journalist aayush Sharma speaks with Amber Afzali about Rule Breakers and how the story of the Afghan Dreamers resonated with her, especially Esin’s journey.

Aayush Sharma: How has your journey unfolded, balancing acting with activism and your studies in political science?
Amber Afzali: It’s been a roller coaster. I started acting as a kid, but education was always a priority. When the pandemic happened, I realized I wasn’t giving my creative side its due time. Acting felt safe, so I jumped back in. This role, about Afghanistan and women’s rights, blended my interests perfectly.
Esin’s journey in Rule Breakers is filled with hope and heartbreak as she challenges societal barriers. Afzali connected deeply with Esin’s struggles, drawing from her own experiences and emotions. She aimed to portray Esin authentically, showcasing the full range of emotions of an Afghan girl, frequently enough unseen in Western media.
Aayush Sharma: How did you connect to Esin’s struggles and victories?
Amber Afzali: I was inspired by the Afghan Dreamers. I wanted to play Esin authentically, showing the full range of emotions that Afghan girls have. I am an Afghan girl, I speak the language, I understand the culture. Esin’s journey is about finding her voice, and I connected with that.
Afzali prepared for the role by researching FIRST Robotics and watching videos of the afghan Dreamers competing.She connected with the fact that Esin, like herself, was academically inclined but new to the practical aspects of STEM. Having real robotics teams on set provided invaluable insight.
Aayush Sharma: What preparations did you undertake to portray a young Afghan woman pursuing STEM education?
Amber Afzali: I watched videos of FIRST Robotics and the girls competing.Being on set with robotics teams from around the world, learning about their designs, was incredible. It provided a lot of insight.

Afzali met with Roya and alaha, the founders of the Afghan Dreamers, before filming. This helped her understand the gravity of their accomplishments and Roya’s relationship with the girls. She also met Soumaya, Saghar, Reyhana, and Coach Ali after filming, further enriching her understanding of their journey.
Aayush Sharma: Did you meet any of the Afghan Dreamers?
Amber Afzali: I met roya and Alaha before filming, which helped me understand their accomplishments and Roya’s relationship with the girls. After filming, I met Soumaya, Saghar, Reyhana, and Coach Ali. Their stories were incredibly inspiring.
What’s next
Amber Afzali hopes that Rule Breakers will spark renewed conversation about women’s rights and education in afghanistan, inspiring others to pursue their dreams despite challenges.
