Breaking Barriers: Amber Afzali's Journey to "Rule Breakers"
In a media landscape dominated by one-dimensional portrayals of Afghanistan, "Rule Breakers" emerges as a revolutionary film that shifts the narrative away from war and conflict toward the remarkable achievements of young Afghan women. The recently released Angel Studios indie film tells the inspiring story of Afghanistan's first all-girls robotics team, known as the Afghan Dreamers, who defied societal expectations and overcame tremendous obstacles to compete on the world stage.
Amber Afzali, who plays Esen, one of the team's hardware engineers, recently joined the "Living the Dream with Curveball" podcast to discuss this groundbreaking film and her personal connection to the story. Born to Afghan immigrant parents and raised in the United States, Afzali's journey mirrors many themes explored in the film—balancing cultural identity, finding one's voice, and breaking barriers. While studying political science and psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, Afzali maintained a deep interest in Afghanistan, which ultimately led her to this role that perfectly merged her academic background with her renewed passion for acting.
What makes "Rule Breakers" particularly significant is its dedication to authentic representation. The film intentionally focuses on the capabilities, determination, and resilience of Afghan women rather than defaulting to narratives centered on war, military intervention, or victimhood. As Afzali explains, she was "especially over the moon because I was so grateful that there was a project on Afghanistan that wasn't centered on war, that wasn't centered on the terrible things that have happened there." Instead, the film celebrates the cultural richness of Afghanistan while highlighting the extraordinary accomplishments of these young women in STEM fields.
The chemistry among the actresses playing the Afghan Dreamers team—including Nina Hosseinzadeh, Sarah Malalro, and Maryam Saraj alongside Afzali—transcended the screen. Their shared experiences as women from similar backgrounds created a supportive community that mirrored the very dynamics portrayed in the film. This authentic connection added a layer of truth to the storytelling that audiences have clearly responded to. Working alongside established actors like Phoebe Waller-Bridge (who Afzali bonded with over their shared love of Tomb Raider), Ali Fazal, and Nicole Boucheri provided these emerging actresses with invaluable learning opportunities on set.
Beyond simply entertaining audiences, "Rule Breakers" serves a greater purpose in challenging stereotypes and inspiring viewers. Afzali's hope is that "when they watch the film, they leave the theaters feeling inspired, feeling motivated," especially encouraging more women to pursue careers in STEM fields. The film stands as testament to the power of representation and the importance of telling diverse stories that capture the full spectrum of human experience, regardless of geography or circumstance. Through projects like "Rule Breakers," both filmmakers and actors like Amber Afzali are helping to reshape public perception and create space for more nuanced understanding of Afghanistan and its people.
