We’re flipping the script and rewriting our own narrative!
In Ep 3 of Season 2, we’re joined by award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker and producer Samah Safi Bayazid - talk about being a triple threat!
Going against cultural norms and paving a way for others to follow, Samah explains her personal journey of finding a career that she is truly passionate about.
Samah is fed up with the racial stereotypes and blatant Islamophobia portrayed in movies and on television (as are the rest of us!), but now she’s stepping in with her own script and a camera crew to tell stories much closer to reality. If you’ve ever longed to be “seen and heard”, Samah’s work is definitely for you!
With all of the success that follows the Jordanian turned Washingtonian, Samah says she couldn’t have done most of what she accomplished if not for the support of her family and husband. We dig into why having a spouse that also serves as a motivator is crucial for a healthy and happy relationship. Support is a two-way street after all.
The topic of hijab also comes up in this conversation. While the media is typically a male-dominated field and on a typical movie set you might be surprised to find a female director and a hijabi at that, but Samah doesn’t let anything get in her way. She talks to us about how the hijab empowers her and how she’s deciding to let her work speak for itself.
No matter how many films she makes or scripts she writes, Samah couldn’t escape that nagging question that follows us all: “When are you planning on having a baby?” We discuss the societal pressures we women face and how we can overcome it together.
You’re definitely going to want to listen to find out how she responded to anyone who dared ask that question!
Throughout our conversation Samah taught us the importance of doing things at our own pace and no one else’s - we cannot wait to see what other future projects she has in store for us all!
Enjoy and remember to follow us on Instagram: @unsweetenedandunfiltered
Follow Samah on Instagram: @samahsafi
Take a look at her work her: lightartproductions.com