We had the good fortune of connecting with Selbi Rejepova and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Selbi, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?

Born and raised in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, my journey into the world of storytelling began long before I set foot in the United States to pursue filmmaking. Growing up in a place with fewer entertainment options, I found solace and excitement in the movies. It may sound naive of me, but films and music became my gateway to a world where imagination, creativity and vision faced no limits, offering a welcome escape from the routine and at times boredom of everyday life. As much as I loved movies I often felt left out, with Central Asian people missing from my favorite films from around the world. Somehow that absence in itself reminds me clearer and louder of the purpose behind why I want to make movies before all else. I guess I just want to feel seen and heard. I view it as, filmmaking converges various art forms in one way or another and possesses a potent universal language that reaches everyone based on their willingness to feel, listen, be moved, and understand with an open mind. As a young adult watching movies, I witnessed Turkmen women generally depicted in traditional roles. Although these portrayals were dignified and beautiful in their own right, showcasing the unique culture of Turkmen people, in my opinion, they were navigating themes of life, love, courage, and heartbreak through a narrow lens. Yet, I am a sucker for a fresh perspective—a Turkmen woman as the central character in genres beyond the usual dramas. I crave to witness her in thrilling, experimental, horror, fantasy, sci-fi, or action settings, free to be anything she desires, breaking free from the expected narratives.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Despite my early passion for the arts – like playing piano and later graduating from a musical school in Turkmenistan, and exploring dancing, and painting – when it came to
my dream of becoming a storyteller, Turkmen women filmmakers were still rare where I
come from, giving me plenty of reasons to get disheartened and start following a more
conventional career path. Regardless though, there was nothing I wanted to do more,
and I am way too stubborn to give up without trying. Discovering your voice in this field
is tough, so I stay focused on the goal, consistently directing, writing, shooting
(cinematographer), acting, and crewing on productions. Besides passion projects,
remaining engaged through internships with production companies, honing my skills
and seeing progress in each project serve as a constant reminder of my love for this
craft.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When it comes to food, The Local’s got some killer wings, would go to Folk Art for a really good chicken sandwich and one of my favorite Bloody Mary, and of course 97
Estoria for drinks and that cozy vibe. I lived in NY for 4 years before moving to Atlanta,
and Central Park was one of my go-tos for showing off the city to friends who were
visiting. I feel like Piedmont Park is Atlanta’s own Central Park and especially during the
warmer days it becomes a vibrant scene for concerts, festivals, events and it is worth it
for a nice walk or a picnic. I also love taking friends to explore the Atlanta BeltLine, for a
mix of art, a scenic stroll, as well as a wide variety of food spots to choose from. If I’m
up for a little adventure, I would take my friend to explore Cloud Canyon, which I visited
for the first time last year and fell in love with, and we could crash in one of their yurts
for a couple days.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Filmmaking is all about working together, and I’ve been lucky to collaborate with friends from Five Towns College and SCAD while working on productions in NY and Atlanta.
On top of that, I am thankful to mentors who taught me about film, be it practical or
theoretical. However, the people I wouldn’t even be talking about my dream of making
movies and creating in general are my parents and my siblings, especially my sister
Soyli. In the midst of studies and work, it’s been over 6 years now since I visited home. I
owe it to them to have graduated with BFA and MFA in Film/TV production, receiving
their moral and financial support through the years, even as I have been navigating my
life in the States by myself.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selbi.rejepova/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selbirejepova/

Image Credits
Nicholas Chissus, Diego Vargas, Mallika Singh

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