((PKG)) MUSLIM AMERICAN FILMMAKER
((Banner: Behind the Camera))
((Reporter/Camera: Elizabeth Lee))
((Map: Los Angeles, California))
((NATS))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
My name is Lena Khan and I am a writer and director. When I was starting out, like people in the community, South Asian most of all, they were like, “why are you entering such a stupid career?” I like what I’m doing. I like it. I feel like it has some value. It’s incredibly fun, and I’m also a faithful person, whereas it’s always
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
for me, it’s about, sort of like how you went about your day and, kind of what you tried and the results are up to God.
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((NATS))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
My parents are both from India. I used to be at a couple production companies in various capacities and people would always send me all the scripts that had anything to do with anywhere ranging from the Middle East to Southeast Asia, and they would be like, “Oh, give it to Lena. Maybe she’ll know something about it.” I can see subtle things, just that sort of a surprise when they find out I have normal interests and do normal things.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
It’s very hard to be a female filmmaker in Hollywood. That is for sure. I think they feel like
((End Courtesy))
you don’t have as much authority or you can’t command a set as much or they don’t, does seem like they won’t give you a chance or risk quite as much.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
And for the Muslim thing, I just think they are still trying to process that.
((End Courtesy))
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
The Tiger Hunter is about a young man who immigrates from India in the 1970s, kind of, on this big quest for success but really what it is is about him trying to, kind of, live up to the big shoes of his father.
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((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
I wouldn’t have a career if I didn’t do this movie. It’s literally the thing that got me everything.
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
Well there is one more thing. Ruby.
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((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
People who are South Asian or Muslim can’t seem to believe that our stories have any really real value. And so, the moment you start talking about, “Oh, you know, such and such person from this company a.k.a. white person said this movie is good” that’s when their eyebrows raise. That’s when they feel like, “Oh, ok, somebody else validated this brown person’s story” and thus it has something to say.
((Courtesy: Shout! Factory! Sneaky Sneaky Films))
((Movie NAT pop)):
I can see Gemini.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
I’m doing a TV show. I’m on a Disney movie right now and some various other things and all of it is because of The Tiger Hunter.
((Courtesy: Keysi Estrada))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
Any kind of facets that I think make me a minority whether it’s female, Muslim, etc., definitely not a plus.
((End Courtesy))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
For me, what’s always worked is when it comes down to the work, not paying attention at all to what my background is, kind of being oblivious to those sorts of barriers, because then you just do what you got to do.
((Courtesy: John Tucci))
((Lena Khan, Hollywood Writer / Director))
But when it comes to networking and sort of being strategic or whatever it is, the more we help each other rise, I think everybody sort of goes up and that was a big decision even with The Tiger Hunter.
((End Courtesy))