First of all, I'm Middle Eastern; I'm Iranian, so to be playing a leading role in a big Hollywood movie, I think, is possibly one of the first times.

I was a big fan of Middle Eastern elements of music and experimental electronic and tribal sounds.

He is terrifying to Middle Eastern elites. He is terrifying to Middle Eastern governments,

MOST OF THE NATIONS OF the Middle East can be divided into those with long histories and no oil, and those that have lots of oil and very little history. With a few notable exceptions, both groups share a common feature: they were cobbled together by outsiders. The borders of the modern Middle East were drawn by Europeans after the First World War with no regard for the interests or backgrounds of the people who inhabited it.

When I'm not at the keyboard, I'm generally reading, practicing tai chi or middle eastern dance, or cooking.

Clothes are a big part of a free society, I think, and what you wear is so indicative of the political climate you're living in.