Proschat Madani

"It takes tremendous courage to be where you always are - in the here and now," says Proschat Madani. It took her years before she could say "I am an actress." In her book Leben spielen, she explores with depth and humor the clichés of her profession - from egotism through hunger for applause to an insatiable need to be the center of attention.

But Madani also writes about the wisdom hidden in the art of acting: through play we come to know ourselves, becoming more honest and vulnerable than would ever be possible in real life. A plea for the art of playing - not just in front of the camera, but in everyday life, in our shared reality.

Proschat Madani was born in Iran and grew up in Vienna. She became known through her role in the series Vorstadtweiber, and most recently appeared in the film What a feeling. Beyond acting, Madani writes - with sharp observation and a clear political stance.