Mary N. Hasavari, Film Director and Screenwriter, Matches Films
Mary N. Hasavari is a writer and director with an international background in countries like Thailand, Norway, and Iran. She received an MA in Film-making from The London Film School in 2015, which made her first film at the age of 16. Her short film BEFORE SPRING was nominated to best film at five film festivals, receiving honourable mention at The Isle of Wight International Film Festival. Through her work, she explores themes such as identity, psychology and dualism/non-dualism. Mary has several years of experience in the international film industry. She is the recipient of many prestigious grants and awards, most recently from The Norwegian Film Institute. Her upcoming documentary, DHAMMA, received multi-year production financing from the Norwegian Arts Council, and she won first prize at International Screenwriters Association'sAssociation's screenplay competition in the category "best thriller" for PERSONA. Through my work, I explore non-duality in relation to identity.
I was raised in Norway with an Iranian father and a Thai mother, so this subject matter is personal to me. It'sIt's as if I'm from many places, but also from no place at the same time. The general expectation is: Who you are and where you're from should be dictated by a singular geographical location on a map—a simplification of a complex reality. Through my characters and their nuances and complexities, I'm hoping to challenge the monotonous idea of identity as something homogeneous and static while transforming notions of opposites into synthesis.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram because it connects people in a visual way.
Tell us about you and your current role or area of interest.
Film Directing and Screenwriting. My upcoming documentary, DHAMMA, received multi-year production financing from the Norwegian Arts Council. The film will be co-directed with Karen Nikgol. I recently won first prize at International Screenwriters Association's Association's screenplay competition in the category "best thriller" for PERSONA.
What do you like about your career or area of focus?
Filmmaking allows me to explore and express my vision to its fullest extent.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Plant many seeds and be patient. It will take time before they grow, but remember that the strongest trees with the deepest roots take more time to grow, while the small trees with shallow roots shoot up fast but fall over by the slightest gust of wind.
What inspires you, motivates you, or helps you to move forward?
The thought of working towards something bigger than myself.
What are you proud of in your life so far?
My determination and courage.
What is your preferred way to meet new people/network?
I don't think I have a preferred way. I have met wonderful people via friends and work in face-to-face interactions, but also via social media. So, for me is perhaps the purest form of meeting people in terms of work. You eliminate nepotism as a factor (unless you have millions of followers and people are approaching you because of that). I have also hired amazing talent that I found via Facebook groups, which I would never even have known about had it not been for the internet!
What skills or qualities do you feel have helped you?
My determination and courage.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
Despite being already aware of the hurdles I would face as a POC woman in an industry dominated by white men, I was still surprised to experience different kinds of bullsh1t* I don't think you can ever be fully prepared for that. Did I let it stop me? NO!
Who do you most admire in business, academic or creative circles and why?
Agnes Varda was a legend who unfortunately passed away recently. She was one of the founders of the French New Wave. I like filmmakers who reflect on their time and gives you a new perspective on life.
Outside of your professional/work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Friends and family.
Has the pandemic had a positive or a negative effect on you and/or your business, and how have you been managing it?
I've planted many seeds over the course of several years, which decided to sprout all at once during this period. The timing might be a coincidence, or perhaps the pandemic created a climate for things that were hidden in society to surface, so we experienced movements such as BLM, Stop Asian Hate etc. Which again made people reflect and question the films and entertainment they consumed and made them curious about new storytellers such as myself. The fact that people couldn't meet in real life also put a brake on nepotism, and people started looking for talent outside their immediate network.
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever mentored anyone?
Yes! The talented screenwriter Craig Titley is my mentor.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work or interests?
Plant many seeds because your trees will grow on God'sGod's time.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
Hurt, fear, and uncertainty.
Is there a phrase, quote or a saying that you really like?
"Plant many seeds because your trees will grow on God'sGod's time" - Venerable Dhammananda, head of the Bhikkhuni Sangha (female monks) in Thailand.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like or do you think are getting it right?
Nike.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience/readership?
If you're on the path of following your purpose, you're already successful because you're already doing what you were supposed to do.