This short film adaptation was inspired by the popular Marvel series, ‘Ms. Marvel.’
Ms. Marvel is not the typical blond-haired blue-eyed superhero. Kamala Khan is a Muslim American teenager from Jersey City. She’s a quirky girl with strong family and religious values.
In 2014, Ms. Marvel hit the shelves. In the first issue, Kamala Khan appeared as Carol Danvers, the original Ms. Marvel because she believed that the only way to be powerful was to be a blond-haired blue-eyed girl. Khan later realizes in a conversation with her father that she’s perfect as she is.
As the daughter of a first-generation family who happens to be Muslim, I relate to Kamala’s story. I was born in Queens and grew up in Long Island. When I was 11, my family relocated to Huntersville, North Carolina. That’s where I experienced feeling different because I was brown. Friends, teachers and classmates made comments about the way I looked rather than getting to know who I was as an individual. Later, I came to the realization that my experiences as a woman of color is an important part of my identity. My goal is to use these experience to change the narrative.
My philosophy: I believe storytelling captures the essence of the human condition and our existence in a profound world. With this knowledge, we can better understand our place in the world, our relationships to others and tear down cultural barriers to explore more richly.
With a heart full of gratitude and love, I have to thank Gimro Films who did an incredible job shooting and editing this project. I appreciate all that Jessica Leonard has contributed to building Kamala’s script. Please follow @msmarvelnyc on Instagram for videos, updates, art and Ms. Marvel cosplay. To see more work from Gimro Films take a look at their Instagram @gimrofilms and @gimrofilms_experience.
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