ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER AWESOME LOCAL FILMMAKER TO PROMOTE! CONTINUING OUR CSIF FALL 2021 MEMBERS’ SCREENING + DIRECTORS TALK SERIES, WE CHATTED WITH MARYAM EJAZ ABOUT THE HER LATEST PROJECT, HER PASSIONS, AND HER LOVE FOR MR. DARCY.
TUNE IN ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH AT 7:00PM (MDT), TO WATCH HER FILM AND INTERVIEW, LIVE FROM THE CSIF OFFICE. YOU CAN WATCH THE EVENT VIA OUR FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES. RSVP HERE.

CSIF: Tell us about yourself. What do you do in the film industry?

MARYAM EJAZ: My name is Maryam Ejaz. I am an independent filmmaker. I am new to it, and started seriously pursuing it in 2018. I am a writer, director, and producer and have produced Hafiz (2019) and my first short film Purple Kisses (2020). I’d like to believe that I bring positive attention to the important but taboo issues of the South Asian Communities through my films. Being a Pakistani-Canadian, I feel a responsibility to my community, and film has always been my way of learning about different cultures. I want to contribute to that in my own way. I am new to this, but am learning lots every year, and hope to be a more present part of the film industry.

CSIF: How did you get started in filmmaking? Why did you decide to become a filmmaker?

ME: I’ve had an interest in film since I was a little girl. I think I got the bug from my grandfather who passed it down to my dad and to me. My grandma told me how my grandfather used to go to the movie theatre back in the day and watch 3 movies back to back and then come home late. I found this out recently, but once I did, everything made a lot more sense. Although he passed away when I was one year old, I feel connected to him when I indulge in my passion for film, and hope that if he was here today, he’d be a proud granddad. When I was 5 years old, my dad showed me Gladiator, which played a very influential role in my appreciation of the power of film in inspiring a certain type of emotion in an individual. I attempted to do something similar with my film Purple Kisses. I wanted to inspire an emotion in the audience so that it may lead them to ponder on the upsetting reality of domestic abuse.

CSIF: What movie(s) inspired you to become a filmmaker?

ME: The movies that inspired me were:

Gladiator (Ridley Scott): It was one of the first films that triggered my creative side and inspired me to create the same movies that would evoke powerful emotions in the audience.

The Dark Knight (Christopher Nolan): Was an inspiration, mainly because of how different the villain (The Joker) was portrayed. It was the first time that I saw an antagonist be someone that people rooted for (to a certain degree). It also showed me the amount of talent that great actors have when they can adequately portray a character that had almost no likeness to their true selves. The cinematography was also amazing. The truck crash scene where the Batmobile flips the truck. It showed me the true abilities that high-budget films have when creating movie magic.

Highway (Imtiaz Ali): The director, Imtiaz Ali, is one of my favourite directors. He made Highway to talk about sexual abuse that exists within families. There is a light shone on the way people will dismiss victims if they come forward with it. This helped me find what I really valued about film. I knew that I wanted to talk about things that I think are important social issues and they need to be discovered and watching the film gave me the courage to do it.

Kaho na pyaar hai (Rakesh Roshan): Because the main character (who is also my favourite actor: Hrithik Roshan) played a double role and that was beyond me at the time. Both characters were very different, and seeing the talent the actor had to transition between the two roles was something that made me appreciate the power of film.

Kabhi Khushi kabhi gham (Karan Johar): Talks about the importance of family, parental love, and familial closeness. It really resonated with me because in South-Asian culture, the role that family plays in one’s life is very present and never-ending. It was also a high-budget film set in a mansion; everything was so luxurious. The artistic part of the film was very well thought out, the cinematography was surreal, and the extravagant characteristics of this film were all very nuance for its time.

CSIF: What kinds of stories are you interested in telling?

ME: There are all kinds of issues that continue to exist in the world, like domestic violence, sexual assault, racism, discrimination, and prejudice. Rather than just bringing attention to it (because we, as a society, have been bringing awareness to these issues for decades now), I want to actively participate in the betterment of society by showing people the very real implications of these issues. Rather than tell people it needs to end, I want to show people the world we would live in if these problems didn’t end (as I attempted to do in Purple Kisses), how it would be if we did eradicate these toxic ideologies and give people the ability to empathize with others through film. I want to tell stories that inspire people to reflect on the world around them, stories that educate, entertain, and make people feel seen and not alone. 

CSIF: What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your practice as a filmmaker so far?

ME: I’ve learned that it is very important to be able to take responsibility for your actions and behaviours. Working hard is one thing, but there also has to be proper intention in your efforts. I also learned that if you work hard and manifest what you want, the universe will open doors for you and there are always going to be people who genuinely want to see you succeed and vice versa.

CSIF: What advice do you have for other filmmakers?

ME: I guess it would be what my mentor Sandi Somers told me, and I’m paraphrasing, “As a director, you are responsible for everything that happens on set—be it good or bad”. Initially, it was difficult to understand the full implications of her words, but over time, I’ve come to realize that it means to work through problems and not to blame on others; to give your crew the support that they need to succeed. Additionally, one should ensure they’re respecting others and maintaining not only the dignity of others, but their own. Her words were valuable because they helped me during the making of Purple Kisses.

CSIF: What is the most embarrassing or funniest thing that has happened to you on set?

ME: The most embarrassing experience was probably during first day of the making of Purple Kisses (for context, my security system can be controlled by my dad who lives 6 hours away for work). It was a very early start, and the shoot was taking place at my house. My sister (who was the set-deco, PA, and caterer) and I were supposed to wake up and let the crew in when they arrived. Not only did I sleep in, but Maira did as well. Then I was abruptly awoken by my very confused father saying “Why are you still asleep?! Don’t you have to shoot a film? Your team is outside”. It’s important to know that, the night before, my dad had wished me luck and success for the start of my film. In the moment, it was definitely stressful, but in retrospect, I laugh pretty hard about it.

CSIF: Tell us about your most recent project.

ME: My most recent project is Purple Kisses, it is the first film that I wrote, produced, directed and co-edited with the help of the Herland Mentorship Program, Telus Storyhive and CSIF in 2020. Purple Kisses is a story about a young 26-year-old woman, desperately trying to navigate her life through an abusive marriage without any support from her immediate family. The film was shot in three days and the three stages of production were stressful but also very exciting and a great opportunity for me to grow as a filmmaker. Kathleen Brigham (cinematographer) and I, along with the lead actors (Maneet Khera and Angad Singh), worked together during pre-production to rehearse the scenes, which helped us prepare for the day of shooting. Six Degrees Music & Sound offered a scholarship to create the music and sound for the film which was extremely helpful in bringing my vision to life. During post-production, my editing mentor Nina Storm, along with our colourist Miranda White, helped me and my co-editor Ankur Desai get through our roadblocks. Each and every cast and crew member were paramount in the success of Purple Kisses. I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better cast and crew, and feel extremely blessed for the experience I gained.

It brought the whole team and I great pleasure to see Purple Kisses get selected in multiple film festivals as listed below:

• IFFSA (International Film Festival of South Asia) 2021. It is the largest South Asian film festival in North America.

• Lift-off Global Network Toronto 2021

• Stinger Awards Nominated for Best Makeup (Seerat Brar)

• 2020 Mosaic Film Festival or Arts and Culture

• Semi-finalist in the Director’s Cut Int’l Film Festival

• Sunfest International Short Film Festival (Official Selection)

• Screening at the Alberta Culture Days Event

• Vesuvius International Film Fest Best Producer (Covid-19 Short)

• Fentress Film Fest – Nominations: Best Director (Maryam Ejaz), Best Overall Short (Maryam Ejaz) and Best Actress (Maneet Khera)

CSIF: Any final thoughts/words regarding filmmaking/being a filmmaker in Calgary?

ME: I have now lived in Calgary for 9 years, and being a filmmaker here makes me feel connected to the city. We are a small community, and CSIF is always such a supportive place. I feel that, even though I haven’t met someone in person, they are still rooting for you in their own way. I love seeing the amazing work created by different artists in Calgary. I am so grateful for the opportunity of being a part of the Herland Mentorship program that helped me get my foot in the door. The mentorship I received was amazing and the lessons from it are a part of me to this day.

CSIF: What is a film that you wish you made and why?

ME: If I had to pick one film it would probably be Highway by Imtiaz Ali. The movie is very close to my heart as it so beautifully takes the audience on a journey of the protagonist’s experience with child sexual assault. The reason why I hold that film so dearly is because of its unfiltered and daring approach to shining light on the disgusting reality of pedophilia and the victims’ journey to recovery. I aspire to make films that stand out and speak on such issues.

Favourite movie(s): Pride and Prejudice (2005). I was first introduced to the novel version of Pride and Prejudice. Reading was always an escape from reality, and this novel helped me escape into the world of ballroom dancing and dramatic sighs. Although it gave me unrealistic standards and expectations of love at a young age, it also gave me a chance to be in this world where a fantastically romantic ideal of passion that people can have for one another existed. When I watched the movie, it surprised me to see the director and cinematographer bring the world I had imagined to life so lavishly. I loved the soundtrack of Pride and Prejudice and the little details in the ballroom dances. Also, I am a diehard Mr. Darcy fan!

Favourite movie (snacks): Popcorn and tea biscuits <3

Instagram: @marymjaz, @purplekissesfilm, @maneetkhera_, @angaddontsing, @kre8ivek

Facebook: Maryam Ejaz

Linktree: Maryam_Ejaz