From ‘The Wrong End of the Table’ to ‘My So-Called Iraqi Wedding,’ Meet Multi-Talented, Award-Winning Editor, Filmmaker and Author Ayser Salman
EDITOR/FILMMAKER/AUTHOR
Show Notes:
In this episode of the Slow Dive Podcast, host Farida Rafique engages with filmmaker and author Ayser Salman, exploring her journey from Iraq to America, her experiences growing up in Kentucky, and her insights on storytelling and representation.
Ayser discusses her book, 'The Wrong End of the Table,' which dives into the complexities of her identity as a Muslim woman and immigrant in America.
The conversation highlights the importance of authentic narratives beyond trauma, emphasizing the need for diverse and joyful stories in the cultural landscape. In this engaging conversation, Ayser Salman shares insights about misconceptions surrounding Iraqis, the cultural contrasts between Kentucky and California, and the creative process behind editing and storytelling.
She discusses her current projects, including the short film 'My So-Called Iraqi Wedding,' which highlights Iraqi culture and wedding rituals.
Ayser reflects on the importance of community, the joy and chaos of cultural events, and her aspirations for future creative endeavors, including writing and documentary filmmaking.
Takeaways:
Ayser Salman emphasizes the importance of handwritten letters as a lost art.
She expresses a desire for more intellectual discourse among friends.
Growing up as an immigrant shaped her storytelling perspective.
Ayser's childhood experiences led her to create plays and stories.
She found writing to be a freeing process, allowing her to express her true self.
The reception of her book has been overwhelmingly positive, especially among non-immigrants.
Ayser highlights the misconception that immigrant stories must be tragic.
She believes comedy can effectively convey deeper themes and experiences.
The complexity of identity is a recurring theme in her work.
Ayser encourages others to share their personal stories as a form of memoir. Misconceptions about Iraqis often stem from a lack of understanding.
Cultural experiences vary widely among Muslims around the world.
Editing and writing are interconnected processes that enhance storytelling.
The joy and chaos of weddings reflect cultural richness.
Iraqi wedding rituals are unique and deserve representation in media.
The journey of creating a short film can reignite passion for filmmaking.
Documentaries often evolve into unexpected narratives.
Community support is crucial for personal and creative growth.
Home is defined by comfort and the presence of loved ones.
Future projects may include writing a middle-grade book and collaborating on documentaries.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:
https://www.amazon.com/author/aysersalman
IG: @aysersalman
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1700217/
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction to Ayser Salman and Her Journey
10:40 Exploring Identity and Storytelling
20:50 The Reception of 'The Wrong End of the Table' and Its Impact
30:38 Understanding the Complexity of Identity and Representation
39:40 Current Projects and Future Aspirations
48:49 The Journey of 'My So-Called Iraqi Wedding'
Ayser Salman is a filmmaker and author primarily focusing on projects that shed light
on underrepresented communities. As an editor, her work in docu-series is Clio and Emmy winning.
Born in Iraq and growing up in Kentucky with a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, Ayser constantly felt like a fish out of water. This nomadic childhood shaped her interest in storytelling.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky School of Journalism, Ayser worked as a local news producer before coming to Los Angeles for film school.
Since then, she’s been a story producer/editor for studios such as Miramax Films, Disney, Universal Pictures, The Weinstein Company, Netflix, and FX. Ayser also teaches writing classes and workshops to help new writers find their authentic voices so that they too, can tell the story most true to themselves.
