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Lena Khan is a 24 year old independent filmmaker from California. She’s smart, talented, and is paving the way for Muslim women in the film industry.

Hijabtrendz recently had the chance to catch up with her and talk about her latest project and how she got her start in film.

Hijabtrendz: What made you decide to become a filmmaker? Where did you go to school and what did you major in?

Lena Khan:I went into college thinking I wanted to be a professor. Just before finishing undergrad I got a feeling that there was such a large bulk of America that received most of their education on the world and social issues not from professors but from movies.

I had already known and had regularly bemoaned the portrayal of Muslims in cinema, whether it was in “The Siege” where a man is obviously shown making wudu` (ritual ablution) before hijacking a plane, or in “Black Hawk Down” where militants and “enemies” are shown while the call to prayer rings in the background.

I figured instead of complaining about it I would just be the one to make the movies myself and educate the public through films that entertain but have a message.

So after I received my bachelors degrees in political science and history I went to the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

Hijabtrendz: Did you find it hard as a Muslim or as a woman to enter the field?

Lena Khan: Entering the field as a woman and as a Muslim definitely comes with its share of obstacles. Whether at my previous production job or even as a filmmaker, there are so many moral dilemmas that come with the territory.

Will I feel okay green-lighting a script that is a high quality piece but that has licentious scenes in it or demeans Muslims? These sorts of questions often come into play and I find myself constantly having to evaluate my own position.

Also, there is some reserve in hiring a Muslim. When I would interview for a position, sometimes it would be clear that they viewed me as a foreigner, and I would have to prove that I also like movies and am well versed in them and the industry.

Aside from such things, I must say it has not been as much a barrier as expected. Sometimes, it’s actually a blessing. Unlike others in my classes or my colleagues now, I have a community who supports me and helps me to some extent. Being familiar with the trials and issues of the Muslim community, I also have a lot of things to say.

Hijabtrendz: Was your family supportive of your decision?

Lena Khan: My family at first was hesitant but then they were quite supportive.

Hijabtrendz: I believe you’re from California, is that area of the country very hard to make it as a filmmaker?

Lena Khan: It’s hard to make it anywhere as a filmmaker. It’s actually a bit easier in California because there are so many others to work with. It’s extremely difficult to make a film alone.

Hijabtrendz: What are some of the highlights of your career?

Lena Khan: My last film, “A Land Called Paradise,” is definitely one of them. The highlight was opening my email and seeing the dozens of emails from people personally affected by the film. To me, that is what the power of film is if it is used properly.

Hijabtrendz: What would your advice be to aspiring filmmakers?

Lena Khan: Make films. Find what it is that you are passionate about, and make a film. Don’t wait and think that you have to have more money, or first you must graduate from film school, or that first you must be hired. If there is anything that will get you going in the right direction, it’s just making a film. Make sure you’re doing it for the right reason, pick up a pen, and write something inspiring or meaningful. Then make it happen.

Hijabtrendz: You have produced several short political pieces for the upcoming presidential election, what inspired you to do so?

Lena Khan: At first, I didn’t actually want to do the project, because I didn’t want to throw all my support so enthusiastically behind Barack Obama (D-IL). But I keep up with the news, and it just kept becoming more and more clear how horrible of a man John McCain (R-AZ) is; how much he will do to destroy this country; and the extent that he will damage any policy, land, or issue that is important to Muslims.

Hijabtrendz:The films seem to only promote one particular candidate, as a filmmaker how do you balance bias, or is it OK to take a side?

Lena Khan: I personally don’t think a piece of art needs to be objective. A piece of art (which film is) is meant to express what’s in the heart, or it starts in the heart. I started this project because my heart hurt thinking how one candidate could hurt so many things for so many people. The commercials were an expression of that idea, in comedic form. So yes, I think it’s okay to take a side. The news is meant to be objective; art gets to do whatever the artist wants!

Hijabtrendz: Can people forward these films to others (i.e. via email or blogs?)

Lena Khan: I would absolutely love it if people forwarded these films.

Hijabtrendz: Is there anything else you’d like to add that you think people should know about you or the film industry?

Lena Khan: Hey, I’m always looking for funding and a good idea. So if you have either, feel free to drop me a line!

To see more of Lena Khan’s films go here.

Want to read more posts like this? Click on Hijabtrendz Exclusives for the full collection.

(c) Hijabtrendz.com 2008 All Rights Reserved.

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An early Eid treat awaits our readers at the end of the article!

An online clothing retailer that focuses on modern and trendy clothing for women debuted in Manchester, England a little over 5 months ago and is quickly becoming one of the hottest new places for hijabis to shop. It should come as no surprise that the founder is a Muslim man who’s wife was fed up with trying to find clothing that was in style while also fulfilling certain dress requirements.

Many Muslim women and those of other faiths adhere to a dress code of wearing loose, long clothing that doesn’t reveal too much.

Abdulrahman Hummaida says that’s one reason why he and his wife Silvia started LOSVE.

“LOSVE (pronounced loss-vee) was born out of a need. My wife Silvia was frustrated with the lack of trendy long clothing in the UK. She would frequently find it hard to buy trendy items that also fit our lifestyle.”

Hummaida says there are various clothing shops in the UK that provide long clothing and his wife would occasionally shop there.

“Unfortunately these are typically not trendy. What she wanted is a balance between long length and current trend. So we set off on a wonderful journey to establish a trendy long clothing brand – LOSVE.”

According to Hummaida LOSVE is a company that aims to fill the gap so that more women can find themselves enjoying fashion as well as being able to practice their faith.

Hummaida is a software engineer by profession and he met his wife when they were in college together. Silvia serves as the creative director for LOSVE.

Because LOSVE is such a unique name Hummaida is often asked how it was made up.

“When we were creating the name, we sat down with some friends and showed some of the names we came up with. I remember I was handing each name around and was listening to their reaction, as soon as I handed them LOSVE, there was an immediate buzz and unanimous approval. I knew then we had our name.”

Mainstream clothing that is hijab friendly is a challenge for Muslim women to find and Hummaida agrees.

“I think one of the problems with modest clothing companies is their style is too basic and lacks current trend. I believe LOSVE does not fall into that category, which is why we don’t think of LOSVE as modest clothing but a trendy long clothing brand.”

Hummaida says currently 60% of their customers are Muslim women.

“We are pleased with the reaction to LOSVE’s concept and got lots of feedback and requests to do additional lines like dresses and coats – in the LOSVE style of course.”

LOSVE is currently based entirely online, but Hummaida says they have very ambitious future plans to open retail stores.

“Being an online fashion retailer presents opportunities and challenges. We can serve people as close as London and as far as San Francisco, but we have to make sure the user experience on the website is great and we have to present our clothing items well.”

He says they initially wanted to focus on serving UK customers, but got so many emails asking if they could ship to other countries.

“So we now ship to the USA, Canada and the EU.”

According to Hummaid, all the clothing is manufactured in Turkey, because it has a very established textile industry and good ties with the EU allowing LOSVE to have a good logistics setup.

So what is Hummaida’s advice for anyone interested in getting into the retail industry?

“Make sure you are passionate about what you do and have the drive to do this very well. The passion will help you create something unique and the drive will give you the energy to carry on when you are challenged.”

Here’s what you can expect to see for the LOSVE Fall/Winter 2008 collection:
Luxurious Purple
Classical Tartan and Folk
The latest trends in long skirts, long shirt-dresses and tunics.
Vibrant Esarps (Turkish style scarves)

SPECIAL TREAT

Enter the coupon code: hijabtrendz and you’ll recieve 10% off your order from LOSVE. The offer expires December 1st.

(c) Hijabtrendz.com 2008 All Rights Reserved.

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