theculturalconnect.com

Website

www.newrozfilms.com

Name

Shiva Rose

Hometown

New York and Los Angeles

Current residence

Los Angeles, California

Education

University of California, Los Angeles, BA Theater and World Arts & Cultures, (1995)

Work Experience

(All films unless indicated otherwise)
David and Layla ( 2006);
Prospect (2004) ;
Woman at the Beach (2004) ;
Myron's Movie (2004) ;
DysEnchanted (2004) ;
Red Roses and Petrol (2003) ;
The Division: "Rush to Judgment" (2003) TV Episode ;
The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002);
13 Moons (2002);
61* (2001) (TV) ;
Black Days (2001);
Gideon's Crossing: "The Race" (2000) TV Episode ;
How to Get Laid at the End of the World (1999);
The Practice: "The Battlefield" (1998) TV Episode

Ethnicity

Persian-American

What's your background?

Ever since I was a child I was drawn to the performing arts. I studied theater at the age of 15. I went to UCLA where I studied Theater and World Arts & Cultures. It is something I gravitated towards. I was very passionate about theater. I loved language and I loved the idea of fantasy. Theater combined those things for me. My father was in the entertainment business. My mother was an opera singer in Iran. She had a TV show; my father did TV shows. I was surrounded by the entertainment world all my life. So at first, I did mostly theater. I moved to New York and auditioned for some films, a few independent movies.

How did your involvement with human rights begin?

My politics started when I was in college at UCLA. I was really involved with the war in Bosnia. When I graduated I went to Bosnia and worked in a refugee camp. And that was sort of the beginning of my social action besides the various demonstrations I did in college. Also, I started a committee in high school and college to feed the homeless. I always had the desire to take social action. I have been arrested twice now for anti-war protests. When the rumblings of the war in Iraq began, I just knew that with every fiber of my being that it was wrong. I knew it was a fallacy and I just felt very passionate about it. The first time I got arrested was months before the war even started, and people thought I was a little nuts. And then the second time was just a few months ago. At that point, people began to agree with me. The first time was very easy I was just held for a couple hours. It was with an organization, American Friends Service Committee, it’s a Quaker group. We organized an event where we lay down in coffins in front of the federal building. We all represented the death of something as we went into the war: the death of justice, the death of people, the death of women, the death of democracy. We lay on the sidewalk and were told to move, but we didn’t so we were taken to jail. The second time I got arrested was with a similar group, but this time the arrest was much harsher. I was held for eight hours and I wasn’t even allowed to nurse my baby. I think it is because of the Patriot Act that it was so much harsher. I am going to continue being active, but I can’t get arrested for a while!

What are your day to day responsibilities? How do you balance it all?

It is so hard to balance, I need to learn the secret to it. It is a juggling act. I over-extend myself sometimes! I have started putting restrictions because I want to get my play done and that is a priority. I start my morning with meditation or a chant session. Then I feed my baby. I take my older daughter to camp or school. On a good day, I try to write. Sometimes I have meetings about designing clothes. This is really my passion, fashion. I have meetings with various organizations such as Amnesty Internationals. Everyday is different. Some days I have auditions.
When you are writing a play all by yourself, you really need to sit and focus, so I try to do that.

Most notable milestones

Having my children. Maybe I would say getting arrested in the anti-war demonstrations. I feel that although it didn’t change the issue, at least I was putting the way I felt into action. I took action. I feel so passionately about how there is no reason for war in any situation.

What’s the niche?

Being of two different cultures. My love of theater also makes me unique. Theater is so separate in this town from movies. Also, my politics color what I think and do. I try to pick parts that are political. I have turned down parts to play terrorists on TV. I played in an episode of The Practice where I played an Iranian woman, and that was fine. But I turn down roles of terrorists that perpetuate stereotypes.

Scene from "David and Layla"

What’s in store for the future?

I am producing a film called The Persian Bride, which is a beautiful book about an Englishman who goes to Iran in the 70s. I am also producing another film called “Relative Insanity”. In addition, I want to take more action with Amnesty International. I have a idea where I want to make a videotape and send it to people globally. It will be the statement “I’m sorry.” And I want to film people here in America for it. I want to send it to Iraq and other countries because I want people to see another face to Americans. Because America does a lot for other countries, a lot of money is donated for great causes, and I want people to see that.

What are unexpected things you have learned along the way?

I think we all yearn for success and money, material things – the things we think will make us happy. I have realized that relationships with family and being in touch with nature are the things that make me happy, not success and money. What I really long for is to go for a walk in nature with my kids.

How did you initially get involved with the movie? Why did you want to take the role of “Layla”?

The casting director thought of me and I came in audition ….I loved that the lead in a film was a Middle Eastern woman. There haven’t been a lot of films on Kurdish culture, and this film sheds light on the plight of Kurdish people. We hear a lot about Palestinian and Armenian persecution, but I feel we know very little about the Kurds. Jay Jonroy, the brilliant director of “David and Layla” was instrumental in my involvement this project. His passion for film and dedication to the cause of human rights made it attractive for me.

What was the greatest lesson you learned from your participation with this movie?

I learned more about Kurdish history. Also, I learned that less is more. We had so little money, but with the brilliance of Jay and the cinematographer, we were able to make a little go a long way.

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Best way to stay ahead

If I knew the answer, I would be running a studio. I would be running Hollywood. I think its all luck and timing.

Guiding principle in life

Always go with your gut, even if it seems unreasonable. Also, don’t ever read reviews, either good ones or bad ones.

Yardstick of success

Deep friendships and a loving home.

Goal yet to be achieved

Having my play published and produced. Also, I would love to play the part of an Iranian woman in a film…I have done it on television, but not yet film. I would like to play Nora in “In a Doll’s House” and play Masha in “The Three Sisters” by Russian author Anton Chekhov. Another thing I would like to see is real peace in Iraq, to see some of the damage there get fixed.

Best practical advice

Be original, because in every business, so many people go for the same thing. Especially in Hollywood, there are so many people going for same type of role. Stick to your own personality to set yourself apart.

Supportive words from a family member or friend on your venture

My father always says “have humor in everything” that it is always important to maintain humor – even when you are writing a drama or tragedy.

Most memorable acting experience

When we were filming “David and Layla”… we were shooting a scene on 42nd St. at about 3 A.M. – trying to do it guerilla style – without anyone stopping us. So many people were staring at us, but I put on headphones and tried to be in Layla’s world. I really tried to immerse myself in the character of Layla.

Mentor

I practice a form of Buddhism and the president, Ikeda, is one of my mentors. Also Eve Ensler, my mother-in-law. She does a lot of humanitarian work as well as her own projects. Among other plays, she has written the vastly popular “Vagina Monologues.”

Scene from "David and Layla"

What motivates you for success?

To change the world and give voice to the character I find fascinating.

Like best about what you do

That I get to step into other peoples lives and shoes and use my imagination.

Like least about what you do

The rejection and the politics of it. Also, the shallow quality of it all, when it’s about what someone is wearing rather than who they are.

At age 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a ballet dancer, a doctor or an actress.

What was your first job?

Walking our neighbor’s dog. I was about 12.

Biggest pastimes outside of work

Playing with my children.

Scene from "David and Layla"

Person most interested in meeting and why?

I would like to meet Gandhi, Frederico Fellini, Bob Marley, Coco Chanel, Lou Andreas-Salomé , Martin Luther King, and Rumi.

Leader in business most interested in meeting and why?

George Soros – I like his politics.

Two interesting facts about yourself

1) I cry easily, but I’m tougher than I look.
2) I was also held hostage in a plane when we escaped from Iran when I was 10.

Three characteristics that describe you

Loyal, domestic, and unpredictable.

Three greatest passions

Theater, fashion, and children.

Favorite book

The Unbearable Lightness Of Being by Milan Kundera and The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov.

Favorite cause

Children’s Circle and Amnesty International.

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Actress and Activist Shiva Rose

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