I had no education in filmmaking. I started with a 8mm camera. I made 34 films, and little by little I gained more experience in filming.

I used to believe that people are only born once, but now I feel I have been reborn, like I was given a new life. I see myself as a child, full of energy and hope.

I always loved music, and I always wanted to make a film about it, but I could never do it because of the censorship that was around.

In Kurdistan, theres a lot of hardship - a lot of wars, a lot of bitter and difficult lifestyles. And witnessing all those made me a director.

You need a team that speaks your language.

For me, its better to live without looking over your shoulder, worrying about who is controlling your phone, maybe poisoning your food.

Im free - but Im also not free because there are millions of young people living in Iran. A filmmaker can only do a little.

I love music, I make films with music, I eat with music, I sleep with music, I think with music. Music makes me dream, it strengthens my creativity.

Actually, the only thing I regret is not making more underground films and bringing them with me as historical documents.

I use humour a lot. My foundation is tragic, but my appearance is humorous.

Photographers are artists, they capture and bring emotion in the motions of life.

Love means to look at yourself The way one looks at distant things For you are only one thing among many.

I'm very fortunate with all the jobs that I've done that I've wanted to do them. So, I feel very grateful for that. With each and every one, I could pick memorable moments.

The case for my life... is this: that I have added something to knowledge, and helped others to add more

We meditate so that our minds can be sharp and alert. We chant mantras so that your souls may be ignited like candles. We walk in the light of this beauty.

Man is born with the faculty of speech. Who gives it to him? He who gives the bird its song.

The best way to convince a fool that he is wrong is to let him have his own way.

Some people don't like competition, but competition is fine. It generates new ideas, keeps you alert.

I have to be able to see the thing that's going on that I'm writing about, or else it just doesn't make any sense to me.

I would love to be remembered as one of the greatest Lears or Hamlets.