We recently connected with Rhym Guissé and have shared our conversation below.

Rhym, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

CARTES is an intersectional exploration of diversity and belonging that speaks to the heart of the immigrant experience and what it means to be human. As the writer and director of this project, I wrote CARTES as an homage to the immigrant experience to explore the intricate web of emotions, struggles, ethical dilemmas and the profound impact choices and identity have on the characters. CARTES character’s navigate the complexities of seeking a sense of belonging while engaging in environmental activism in the context of being African immigrants.

I was born in Algeria, to an Algerian mother and Malian father, and CARTES (French for PAPERS) is a personal story to me, as I have felt the struggle of navigating balancing following my dreams of being a filmmaker, with the wishes of my immigrant family. I came to America when I was a teenager, and struggled to fit in with those around me, much like Aliyah in CARTES. CARTES is about the American dream, as it applies to immigrants today, who do not find easy acceptance due to American policies and attitudes.

CARTES is not just a story; it is a reflection of our world and the moral dilemmas we face as a society. It is a call to action, urging us to question our own choices and the consequences they may have on the lives of others.

As a director, I am committed to bringing this important and thought-provoking story to life, with the hope that it will resonate with audiences and inspire conversations about identity, conscience, environmental awareness and the power of community.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a Los Angeles-based actor, director and screenwriter, focused on crafting stories that empower and celebrate women, Africans, and Muslims from the diaspora.

I was born in Algeria, to an Algerian mother and Malian father, and lived in the Ivory Coast before moving to Louisiana.

I’m very proud to be a multi-hyphenate artist, an actress/director who makes a living strictly pursuing my creative passions.

My directing credits include Directing a promos for HULU including Kerry Washington’s Season 2 ‘UnPrisoned’ series and in Toulouse, France for the new ‘Vanderpump Villa’ show. Recently I directed an 8-part social justice series for the NBA, and directed and executive produced a 5-part Nickelodeon series. I was a Fellow in the DGA’s Commercial Directing Program in 2022.

My short film CARTES has just been selected for the BAFTA/Oscar qualifying Los Angeles Int’l Shorts Festival and Black Girls Rock! Film Festival (Atlanta) and BronzeLens Film Festival (Atlanta).

The ultimate goal is to create narratives with female leads challenging the status quo. My screenwriting work has been a Semifinalist at the Atlanta Film Festival, and a Diverse Voices official Screenplay Selection.

I continue to seek roles that challenge me as an African/Arab, immigrant, woman, and as an artist.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is that when I speak with others, whether they be peers or non-creatives, and they can see themselves in my characters or share that they feel heard or seen through my stories. It feels validating to see my storytelling resonate with the exact audience I’m trying to reach.

Recently, when working with my actors Patrick and Kkuumba for my short CARTES, both Kkuumba and Patrick shared that they’ve had discussions with their families/children that they saw reflected in my film. I specifically remember Patrick saying that he has the same conversations with his daughters about pursuing the American dream.

What I want most as a storyteller is to help everyone understand and empathize with the immigrant experience. The reality is that most people, with the exception of the indigenous groups, are all immigrants no matter how many generations you can go back in your family.

All of us being immigrants should be a comforting reminder, and I hope, allows for a more understanding and equitable future for all.

There is something very special about having an indelible purpose that helps guide you on your journey as an artist.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

So many non-creatives, particularly friends and family, who have seen me start a rather ‘linear’ career after graduation when I went to work at the U.N. and in publishing were surprised and confused about my switch over to acting/directing. So many had known that those were my passions, and ‘hobbies’ but they weren’t prepared for my ultimate life pivot into the arts.

The biggest fears they had for me were job security and a saturated film market with so many creatives. These were all very realistic and understandable concerns, but what I had to discern very early in my career was that they weren’t my personal concerns, it was theirs. It was and still is a learning curve to block out the noise of well meaning people who want you to be safe, and continue on your path of what you perceive is your life’s calling, respectfully of course.

More surprisingly was that in speaking with everyone in my life or who’s paths I crossed, with ‘normal’ day jobs all had this wistful look in their eyes when I would tell them about my acting/directing adventures, and all had a personal story of how they were once artists or had ‘artistic’ abilities but never pursued them. I specifically want to say to them, that it is never too early or late to shift and go after those endeavors! That’s part of the reason my bestie and I started a podcast titled “2 Film Shorties” to connect with non-creatives and creatives interested in film/tv.

As an idealist, I believe that all of us are artistically inclined, some have more of a vocational calling to it than others, but we are all capable because each of our stories and outlook on life is unique.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.RoukyaFilms.com
• Instagram: @iamRhym
• Other: IMDB: https://imdb.me/rhym

Image Credits

‘Rhym Actor” pic credit: Justin Chee