Ali Selim is busy.   His first feature film, "Sweet Land", is showing in theaters across the country and he is traveling and fielding the many requests that come with promotion. At the same time he is teaching, working on upcoming film projects, raising a family, coaching little league and trying to keep afloat in the fluctuating business of film in the Twin Cities.   When he speaks, his ambition is undeniable, and while weary from the non-stop pace of life as a rising star, he is open, realistic and grounded.

Set in the small town of Montevideo, Minnesota, Selim's film explores the difficulties of love and life as an immigrant in a small prairie town in 1919.   Inge arrives from Europe to marry a man, Olaf, a Norwegian farmer, whom she has never met.   Inge arrives and the community discovers that not only does she not speak English but she is also German.   The challenging controversy that ensues is still not enough to keep them from falling in love.

When St. Paul film director Ali Selim decided to make this film, he never thought 24 days of shooting would turn into a sixteen year process from start to finish.   Now that "Sweet Land" has begun a life of its own, he can look back and reflect upon the decade and a half that brought him here.

TS:   Sweet Land is based on a short story.   What is it that drew you to it?

AMS: I thought it was a really simple, beautiful love story that had this undercurrent of issues to which I connect: language and cultural barriers, questions of religion, immigration.   I also, for some naïve reason, thought it would be an easy film to make.   Sixteen years later...

TS:   You had a limited budget.   How did you work around that?

AMS:   That is just the reality of independent film.   You are constantly working around it.   A big part of "getting it done" is a combination of my insanity to forge ahead and my producer's unwillingness to let me hang myself.   The film looks the way it does mostly because of the town of Montevideo and their support of the project.   They maintain all those cars and farm implements to pass on their heritage.

TS:   Did you make the film you wanted to make or did you surprise yourself?

AMS:    It is such an evolution that involves choices at every minute of the day.   I can't imagine being surprised at the end. I suppose if I could lay side-by-side the version I originally saw in my head with the finished print I may be surprised.   But no one can do that.

TS:   Your career has had you behind the camera for over 800 commercials, short films and videos.   How has that prepared you for your first feature film?

AMS: I learned to be comfortable with crews and the technical aspects of filmmaking.   That allowed me to focus on the actors and the compositions.   Just tell the story, in other words, and not worry about the size of the beast it took to tell that story.

TS:   What was your biggest break during filming?

AMS: The weather.

TS:   Did you have any major setbacks?

AMS:   Not a one.   The project was fortunate from start to finish.

TS:   The critics and audiences love this film and it won Audience award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival.   How do you feel about how it is being received?   What do you think it is about Sweet Land that touches audiences as it does?

AMS:   I honestly have no idea what touches audiences but I imagine it is many different things for many different people. It is always good when something you do is appreciated.

TS:   Promoting a film like this makes for a crazy schedule and a lot of travel.   Are you able to work on any other projects right now as well?

AMS:   Trying. But it is basically impossible to wrap your head around the business details of distribution AND somehow disappear into a new creative headspace.

TS:   So any clues for us on what will eventually be next?

AMS:   I do have a couple of things in mind but I am not sure what event is going to take them out of the hopper of dreams and put them on the slate of reality.

TS:   How do you balance teaching, writing, directing, family and everything else?

AMS:   It doesn't seem like that much - it just seems like what you do.

TS:   Wow, that is a very ambitious attitude but is probably what has brought so much success to you, although that is a very personal feeling. Do you feel successful?

AMS:   Success has some connotation of having crossed the finish line and I don't feel that way.   This notion of good reviews, making money, having a movie, I don't feel any of that. I just feel like I have to keep working.

TS:   Do you feel Minneapolis is a good film town?

AMS:   It's interesting.   The Twin Cities is a great place to live. It is such a great cultural center.   But with film, there was a period when production was really strong here, people made some money and then they got out. But at my level there is a little sadness surrounding that.

There is a difference between a town that has production compared to a real film town, which is a place where every aspect of the business is represented and most importantly there is an audience.   In the Twin Cities there is a core group of people who support this stuff but it is in the hundreds.   Whereas, in Toronto, you have to buy your tickets days in advance to get a seat. Now that is a rabid, active film town.

At the same time, for "Sweet Land" we did it all from here, raised all the money, investment, distribution.   Who knows, we could be starting a mini industry but I do go to great films on Friday night at the landmark and there are still only a dozen people there.

TS:   Do you enjoy living in the Twin Cities?

AMS:   Yes, I grew up in St. Paul, married here, have three kids but I have a feeling if this works for me I will be spending a lot more time in New York or LA.  

TS:   In three words, how do you see yourself?

AMS: [laughs] I didn't know it was going to be that kind of interview. Ok, three words I would have to say, exhausted, confused and hopeful.

TS:   Can you think of three words you have heard other people use to describe you?

AMS:   Ambitious, fortunate, a few who use the word asshole, and I grant them that.

TS:   Which do you agree with or disagree?

AMS:   Ambitious-depending on the culture can be good or bad. I am driven and ambitious and I agree with both.   I wouldn't have made this film if I was not driven and ambitious and I also wouldn't be exhausted or confused.   People can see driven people as assholes if they are those who are not or are in the path.   I do feel at times that I have to keep moving. To me it's like going for a run.   When I am running I don't want to stop to chat. I want to keep my muscles warm.

TS:   Any advice for future filmmakers?

AMS:   I am sure my advice will change over the years but before it was keep at it! Now, I say, it's really hard.   It is a long process but if you love it you just have to keep at it.

...Now That's Theskini!::permalink

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