Shout-out by Professor Kaveh Askari:
“This space is mainly reserved for majors in our programs, but we should also acknowledge our engaged minors. They bring expertise from a range of disciplines into our classes, and they help to prevent our programs from becoming silos. Mena came to Film Studies from Comparative Cultures and Politics. She was a source of energy and rigor in my 400-level seminar on Cinema of the Middle East and in the Film Collective. Always up for an experiment, she joined two pilot projects outside the typical curriculum: the Mekong Film Team and our first Toronto International Film Festival cohort. It was great to have her back at TIFF as a mentor in our second year. I should also note the joy with which she dives into whatever material is on the class schedule. Our work should be challenging, but there is room in that work for pleasure and humor, too.”
Shout-out by Professor Professor Justus Nieland:
“Mena was a dynamo in Contemporary Film Theory–committed, curious, and deeply interested in issues of representation. She was a real force in our discussions, and offered consistently illuminating insights and generous provocations. I was also delighted that she took advantage of the Film Studies Program’s free student tickets to the Ann Arbor Film Festival last spring. For me this was just one more sign (as if I needed one!) of Mena’s passion for movies, and her appetite for the kinds of unconventional films that shift our perception and encourage us to think and feel differently. I can’t wait to see what Mena tackles next, and I’m sure she will do it with characteristic brilliance!”
How would you describe your time as an English or Film Studies major at MSU?
I would describe my time as a film student as a space that allowed me to lean into my art and the poetry of film. I felt that this ability to uplift creativity was unique to the college because in other courses of study, there was a large emphasis on uniformity. The ability to explore art in a classroom space with peers was a incredibly rewarding experience that I’m glad I got to have!
Which classes, instructors, or experiences particularly stand out for you and why? How did they prepare you for the next phase of your life?
Dr. Askari’s Post Colonial/Middle Eastern Cinema course definitely stood out as a top course in my time at MSU. Every film we studied was placed in the historical and political context in which it was produced, and we were given the opportunity to explore our own topics of interest with guidance as well. Great teaching and topics!! Along with that, Dr. Nieland’s Contemporary Film and Media Theory course had a really diverse range of media and theory that allowed us to grasp the cornerstones of film theory. I really appreciated the intentionality to include and uplift marginalized communities!
What advice would you give future English or Film Studies majors, based on your experiences in the department?
I think my top piece of advice would be to just talk to people! Forming relationships and community in the film world can be foundational for how you engage with it as a career, so this is a great place to get to know people :). Also, do not be afraid to ask questions because I’ve gotten so many opportunities and helpful comments from just asking!
What coursework-related projects were/are you working on this year, and what interests or excites you about them? (capstone courses, honors thesis, independent studies, etc.)
I’m currently working as a film intern for the Mekong Culture WELL project, and I am editing film footage that tackles displacement, environmental justice, and intergenerational ways of living. I am traveling to Cambodia this summer to continue working on this project, and I’m honored to have been invited in to have a chance to learn more! This opportunity has been really impactful because it continuously shows me how film can explore human rights issues and appreciate the vibrant communities.
What are your hopes and aspirations, post-graduation?
I really hope to continue leaning into the film side of my studies because I am so passionate about the medium of art that is film. I definitely think the potential is endless, and I see myself engaging in film wherever I go!