Rojda Sekersöz’s first feature, “Beyond Dreams,” debuted in 2017 and won the Göteborgs Film Festival’s Angelos and Audience Choice for Best Film. It also won Best Picture at both the Norwegian International Film Festival and Duhok International Film Festival. Sekersöz has directed several shorts.
“My Life as a Comedian” will premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6.
W&H: Describe the film for us in your own words.
RS: I would describe this film as an emotional rollercoaster. It’s about growing up. It’s about the necessity of looking back and accepting your own part in your history and forgiveness. The absolute need of forgiving yourself and others.
W&H: What drew you to this story?
RS: I read the book, which this movie is based on, when I was 13-years-old and was very affected by the story. Then, when I, as a 29-year-old, got the opportunity to read the script to the movie, I was amazed that the story still had a strong impact on me. I knew that this was a universal story that would cross generations.
W&H: What do you want people to think about when they are leaving the theater?
RS: I want them to feel. I hope they are filled with emotions and don’t know what to say when they leave the theater. And after a nights sleep, I hope they start to reflect over their own childhood and history when they’re thinking about the film. And maybe even forgive someone.
W&H: What was the biggest challenge in making the film?
RS: My biggest challenge was to make decisions about how to portray the 1970s. I usually tell stories that come from myself, and usually I also write or co-write, so this was an all-new experience for me. I had so much respect for the script because it was so well-written.
W&H: How did you get your film funded? Share some insights into how you got the film made.
RS: The biggest and most important source of funding was the Swedish Film Institute and the regional fund, Film i Väst.
W&H: What inspired you to become a filmmaker?
RS: Wanting to participate in changing the world.
W&H: What’s the best and worst advice you’ve received?
RS: The best advice I received was from the first assistant director, Susanne Falck, from my first feature ”Beyond Dreams.” I was working late in the production office everyday before shooting, and she told me, “Go home.” She told me that if I want to last in this business I need to see this as a marathon, and not a 100-meter race.
The worst advice I’m still getting is when people tell me what I need to do and how I need to do it. I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I would have done things the way others — who were often more experienced — thought I should.
W&H: What advice do you have for other female directors?
RS: I don’t like giving advice, but I know that it all starts with words. We are directors that happen to be female — not female directors. I think it’s healthy that we’re starting to talk — verbalizing visions, dreams, and taking power over our stories.
We also can’t forget that an oppressed group will never be given power; it has to take it. That’s how power works, unfortunately.
W&H: Name your favorite woman-directed film and why.
RS: Right now it’s “Capernaum” by Nadine Labaki because it was so raw, and real, and beautiful.
W&H: What differences have you noticed in the industry since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements launched?
RS: I’ve noticed that people are trying to be more aware of power structures. These things take time to change, of course. So, I think it’s important to keep on talking and acting. I feel hopeful because now we have a social language and idea of things that aren’t okay, and no one can say that they didn’t know.
