We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Fatima Hye. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Fatima below.

Hi Fatima, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Being a Muslim immigrant girl growing up in America, of course I was misunderstood. (FYI I started veiling in college – as a kid I dressed like everyone else.) But it wasn’t just an issue with “society”: family, teachers, classmates, etc. I was culturally caught between my place of birth (Bangladesh) and my place of residence (Texas). So in a way, I misunderstood myself. For a long time, I questioned what it was to be me.

Although I felt I was the only person in the world going through that particular struggle (lol teenage emotions), now I know that a lot of people felt that way, and still do. Even people you might think would have no reason to. That whole grunge thing showed me you could even be a white male living in the suburbs and feel that way!

But a lot has changed since that time. People are learning more and so are more open to each other. It’s easier to be “mixed”: of mixed races, from mixed nationalities, holding mixed viewpoints. So when I tell people that I’m a Filmmaker, while it may still be unexpected, it is no longer unaccepted.

Fatima, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The lingering issue for me at this point is just the misunderstanding of what type of films I make, or perhaps what I am capable of. Most people would initially think I make films related to Muslims/Islam, even Desi culture. Or that I would focus on documentaries, educational, or more “noble” work. But for me, personal artistic expression can be just as powerful or important than the representation of an ideology or cause. To that end, my films are a reflection of myself: sometimes mysterious, often philosophical, always unusual. I may not always have a lot of funds or resources, but rest assured that what I do, I do with a lot of care and attention.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a person who is naturally introverted, it can be scary coming out of your shell. And when you do, you might put too much weight or importance on anyone who does respond to you. Early on in my career, I’d kind of freak out if someone would say no or back out of a project, because I liked the feeling of security, of knowing exactly what was going to happen, of having things happen “according to plan”. But honestly, EVERY SINGLE TIME that happened, I was always much happier with what ended up happening! So it took me a while to let go and feel assured that what might seem like a setback at the moment is often NOT one, that there are so many avenues and paths you might not even have known about. Now I feel more strongly than ever that what’s meant to be will be, and that my journey is a unique accumulation of all the people who I took a chance on, and who in turn, took a chance on me. The people who do not end up with you are not your people, and the people who do truly are.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I am both a producer as well as a consumer of art. Although I’m not a very social person, I do feel a sense of connection to people through my art (and theirs). It’s amazing to be able to see an idea you have become reality, from conception to execution. It’s wonderful to see all the time and effort your cast, crew, and supporters puts into a film culminate into something amazing and be out there in the world for even more people to partake in. And I am grateful to all the artists who do the same for me to enjoy and experience in my own life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.blackrevel.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/blackrevelfilms
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/blackrevelproductions
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fatima-hye-218579200/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackRevelFilms
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@blackrevelproductions