Prepare to get intimate with storyteller director and producer Tala Nahas. Nahas is a Saudi Arabian woman who is part of a new generation of female directors forging their own path in the international film industry. Despite being under 30 years old, her production company has already won a prize for best VFX at the Madrid international film festival in 2019 for: “Veiled”, a movie Nahas both wrote and directed.
Tala you are truly a remarkable one-woman show! Please tell us what inspired you to pursue a career in the film industry?
Writing was my form of expression as a teenager, I started writing short stories at the age of 13. At 16 years old I came across “Movie maker” the windows editing software, I played around with it and realised I could film and edit whatever I write and here we are 14 years later! Except now, I have an editor because I don’t have the patience of a saint, unlike her.
Despite your age you already on the road to success, having gained nominations and awards in the film industry. How does it feel to be recognised and respected as a woman who with the willpower and courage to write about subjects that may seem taboo to certain people?
People are allowed to have their opinions about what I write but I also have the freedom to exercise my creativity however I see fit.
I feel very grateful to have understanding parents, sisters that cheer me on, a proud little brother, friends that ground me and a production team that breathes life into my stories
How have your Middle Eastern roots influenced your art?
It only influences when necessary… like in “Veiled” I discuss jinn and the Quran so my roots had to play a part. In general, I don’t think of myself as an Arab filmmaker but a filmmaker that happens to be Arab.
How does being a woman affect your work? What are the pros and the cons?
It inspires me for sure. I work twice as hard knowing I have something to prove, although that shouldn’t be the case but it is. The pros are meeting strong women in my field, supporting each other fiercely and building great relationships. The cons for me is being belittled and the assumption that I’m just an actress because a woman isn’t usually behind the camera. Honestly being a woman helps in my goal of being a voice for female directors of my generation, and that is enough for me.
What do you feel is missing in the entertainment world today?
Originality. Everything is a remake or a sequel these days, I really crave originality on my screen.
What is the best thing that ever happened to you while shooting? What makes you passionate about directing?
I went to Iceland 1 year before I shot my film “Veiled” and the weather was so bad I couldn’t see the northern lights. After we wrapped in Iceland a year later, while discussing the future of the film on the balcony, we saw the northern lights. What I love most about directing is seeing my vision come to life, even if it’s not what I planned in my head, it’s pretty damn close…and very very rewarding.
We heard that you are currently preparing your next film, “Lemon”. Can you give us some info about the subject?
Yes, that I am! I can’t say anything about the story so not to spoil it before it’s even filmed BUT this will be the most challenging film for me yet! I’m filming most of it in a moving car. The cast is almost ready, I’m working with actors I’ve worked with in “Veiled”. We are all very excited!
Will you describe the creative process from conceptualising to the final product?
It depends on the film; each film’s process is different but I’ll give an example of my latest film process: The idea came to me randomly in Sep 2019. I finished writing the script May 2020 and it will probably be filmed at the end of 2021, then the film at final cut by mid 2022 (since it’s a short). I like to aim to make a film every 2 years but sometimes things go against me, it doesn’t stop me, though it does delay me.
As an artist do you believe in freedom and spontaneity?
1000000% as an artist and a human. If you don’t have freedom what else do you have?! This is why I never do storyboards for my films unless the scene is VFX heavy then I have to. I feel storyboards limit my vision and spontaneous creativity on set. I like my shots free and sometimes in the moment so I refuse to stick to the little boxes that tell me otherwise.
Is there any other movie female director that inspires you and Why?
I admire all female directors. 4 years ago I saw “A Girl walks home alone at night” and I fell in love with Ana Lily Amirpour who wrote, directed and acted in her film.
I just felt a soul sister connection while watching it, (I remember) thinking this is a woman after my own professional heart. She hit all the spots for me. The film is horrifically magical.
Any advice for aspiring directors?
Stay hungry. Befriend your failures, your failures are your biggest lessons in your career, don’t avoid that conversation of “what could I have done differently?” HAVE IT! Because the film you make after will be your win. Never undermine your audience. Always have two friends who are not in the film industry (but are film fans) look over your work because you might be too close to your film to see what the audience sees. Finally form your film family because without mine I wouldn’t have gone this far.
Tala, Thank you, you pave the path you are an inspiration for all women who want to enter the movie industry. It was a pleasure to interview you and we look forward to following you on all your future endeavours.
Text by Suna Ahmed
