What’s the best thing about creativity? You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have. Despite being a multi-Award Winning screenwriter, this artist continues seeking creative challenges to become the best version of herself. The artist is Lara Mamoun! Aside from her directed film — My World — screened at Plaza Theater recently, the driven Atlanta screenwriter is simultaneously working with Netflix, directing her first feature film and assistant directing a dramatic all-Black production. Above and beyond, she expanded her horizons and dove into the Comedy and Music world, where she is a cast member of a live-sketch comedy show and is currently on the move to launch her first EP — Purple Skies. There is no stopping when it comes to Lara Mamoun and Jejune is here for it. Come check out our interview with Mamoun to learn more about her exciting creative journey as she pushes boundaries to become the best version of herself.

Where are you based?
I live in Atlanta, Georgia.

What sparked your interest in filmmaking? When did you discover this interest?
I've always been fond of filmmaking and the entertainment industry in general. From an early age I would memorize movie plots, actors' names and make it a point to watch as much television as I could. When I was 11, I used to write scripts that I wanted to pitch to Disney, but I grew up in Saudi Arabia, and so, my dreams of going to Hollywood to work in Film were put on hold. When I was finishing my Economics degree at Georgia State University, I stumbled upon the 'Fast & Furious 7' set one day right outside of my building. I ended up not attending my class because I was so enamored with the production. Watching them film their scenes really sparked the interest in me and helped me realize that I wanted to pursue filmmaking as my career. I started working in Film not long after that, and have been in the industry ever since.

You directed your first short film, My World, that was released last Summer at Plaza Theater. On top of that, you have also just finished co-directing a dramatic all-Black production called, 'The Two of Us'. How did you go about directing these films? What was the creative process like?
When I wrote and directed my short film 'MyWorld', I was a novice filmmaker with no technical training, except for the experience I had gained from watching bigger productions film and from making my comedic YouTube videos. I had a really small budget to work with, but a wonderful cast of actors I recruited for the project. It was such an incredible feeling to be able to guide my actors in their performances, to schedule the shoot, set up the shots, and find the locations we were going to film at. When we finished filming, I had a wonderful time editing the footage into the final product and bringing my vision to life for the film festival circuit.

When I co-directed 'The Two of Us', alongside my good friend Armeen Acy, I had been working for over two years in the film industry, and was in a much better place with my filmmaking. This gave me a better understanding of the framework and delivery style I wanted to see. Moreover, we had such an incredible cast, crew, and equipment, which made the whole process easier and memorable. The story itself, which was written by Mr. Acy, was so beautiful and moving. All in all, it was such an incredible experience to be behind the camera and it made me appreciate the wonderful work my friends, cast, and crew put in. I believe the creative process starts with an idea, which then develops into a story that is brought to life through the performances, hard work, and time the team puts in. It takes a village to create beautiful pieces of fiction, and as a Director I feel fortunate to be in a position where I get to work with talented people both on and offscreen.

How would you describe your style of filmmaking?
I enjoy Comedy a lot, which is why I spend most of my time writing comedic screenplays and filming sketches, mockumentary style shorts, and my web series. I love the filmmaking process, from writing to acting to directing and editing. I have a lot of faith in my cast and crew, which makes my job a lot easier. I cast actors that I know will be able to bring my characters to life. When the camera starts rolling I watch their performances to see how they portray the character, and I only intervene after the other takes to guide them on certain points I'd like to see. Throughout the process, I remain relaxed, determined, and positive. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with wonderful people, so I make it a point to show my appreciation for their time and efforts.

Your work ethic is admirable. At the same time as the release of My World, you also worked as a Second Assistant Director and Script Supervisor in the upcoming Netflix movie, 'The Drone that Saved Christmas'. What went through your head filming with a big production company? How was the experience different from directing on your own?
Thank you for your kind words. I learned so much working on the Netflix movie, 'The Drone that Saved Christmas'. At first, I was a little nervous to work for a big production company, because prior to that I was primarily filming my independent projects. I was so accustomed to doing all the work myself and on my own time, so it was definitely a new experience getting to work for someone else. My nerves quickly subsided the longer I was on set, which helped me excel at my craft, all the while remaining optimistic and patient. I really enjoyed the process of working for a big production, despite the fact that it was different. I felt as though it inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and work harder. All of the lessons that I learned from the movie, I was able to benefit from and I now use them in my current projects.

Can you tell us a little about The Drone that Saved Christmas? When will it be available for everyone to watch?
'The Drone that Saved Christmas' is an all-Black Christmas Comedy directed by the wonderful Miriam Bavly, and starring Rodney Perry, Miguel Nunez Jr, Rashan Ali, etc. It's the sequel to the Netflix movie, 'The App that stole Christmas', featuring Ray J and Miguel Nunez Jr. The story revolves around a wealthy tech entrepreneur, Barry Bryant, who wants to return to his stressful corporate life while his pregnant wife Sue tries to spend more time with him. Barry learns the meaning of Christmas and family, and throughout the movie, he becomes a better person who understands that "goodness is giving". He uses his wealth and power to help the world, and finds a way to grow closer to his pregnant wife, son, and father. The movie should be premiering on Netflix sometime this November 2021, just in time for the holidays.

Jejune learned that you are currently directing your first feature film in Atlanta. Can you share with Jejune what this film will be about? What inspired you to produce this?
Yes, I'm currently producing and directing my first feature film. I can't give too much away, but I can say that it is an absurdist feature-length mockumentary about a group of quirky individuals one week before a big convention. Chaos quickly ensues as their over-the-top personalities get in the way. I was inspired to produce this film after working on my short films and web series. I wrote the screenplay in February, auditioned my actors in June, and started filming in late July. We will be wrapped with the project by early September, and will then be editing the final product for the film festival circuit. I'm excited to share the film with the world once it's completed, and I look forward to selling the movie to a big production company.

With Covid19 and movement restriction happening, has it been hard filming it? If so, what were the challenges?
Yes, it's been quite difficult to film at the same rate as I did in the past. With Covid19 and the Delta variant, it's been quite challenging to find the same filming opportunities, as well as scheduling filming with my cast and crew. We have to get tested, social distance, and work with masks when we're not on camera to make sure we're following all of the precautions. I'm fully vaccinated, and so are most of my friends, but still, I make it a point to follow the proper guidelines for Covid19, to make sure everyone is safe on set.

You also have a knack for Comedy where you produced and acted in acclaimed mockumentaries 'Banana Time Paris: A Retrospective’ as well as a cast member on a live sketch comedy show 'The Going Live Show'. What made you dive into Comedy?
Comedy is definitely my favorite genre. I love making people happy, smile, and laugh, which is why being a Comedian felt so natural to me. I want to spread love and joy with my work, so I've made it a point to film projects that could entertain people in the most positive way. When I was in high school, I played Lelio, a buffoon and delusional mama's boy, in the French re-adaptation of 'La Serva Amorosa'. That was the first time I got to perform Theater, and it helped me realize how much I loved Comedy. I'm also a huge fan of absurdism and the French Philosopher, Voltaire, which inspired me to write more Comedic screenplays. There are so many incredible Comedians out there, and they inspire me every day to produce comedic content, take on Improv and Stand-up comedy.

To what extent does working on Comedy differ from other projects you’ve taken on?
Comedy is a beautiful way to spread love, happiness, and positivity, which is why it means so much to me. I do enjoy working on other projects, but it's different. Comedy brings out a side of me that I do so love, while I also enjoy working on more serious projects, I have to admit I'm a sucker for laughter.

Not only are you an actress and director but also a singer where you’ll soon be launching your first EP, ‘Purple Skies’. What prompted you to write this song?
I'm really excited to share my debut album, 'Purple Skies', under my stage name Elle Moon. It's an Electro-Pop, Edm, and Rap album that I produced the beats for, wrote the songs, and sang in English, French and Arabic. My Debut Single 'Prodigy' is in English and Arabic. I wrote it in dedication to my Lebanese roots, family, and city. My second Single 'Big City Problems' talks about my struggles with depression, my last relationship, my desire to make my family proud, and my realization that everything happens for a reason. I wrote it in hopes of inspiring others to overcome anything holding them back.

What do you hope people get out from listening to Purple Skies?
I'm hoping to share myself with the world, from my darkest dreams to my fantasies. Every song has a lot of meaning to me, as it discusses parts of my journey, struggles, love life, and aspirations. I'm hoping it inspires my listeners to trust in themselves, overcome the odds to follow their dreams, and accomplish anything they set their minds to.

Off-screen, you also work on your own fashion label — We The People Movement. What aesthetic does the label cater to?
We The People Movement is a label that I designed years ago by hand, but it took me a while to get the fashion line set up. I created my own font style for the brand and each shirt is imprinted with a meaningful term such as inspire, aspire, elevate, motivate, etc. The aesthetic is made for anyone who believes in positive terms of reinforcement and in representing a social cause. It's a fashion line designed for social activists, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

Jejune loves that you donate a portion of its proceeds to different charitable causes. Are there any charitable causes that are your favorite at the moment?
I believe charity is very important, especially given the fact that our society has so many causes we can get involved in. The fashion line was designed primarily to donate a portion of the proceeds to social movements such as Black Lives Matter marches in Atlanta, and the August 4, 2020 explosion that left my home country of Lebanon in a state of chaos. It breaks my heart to know what happened to Beirut, so donating most of our proceeds to the Beirut Disaster Relief Fund was the most rewarding thing I could do. When the pandemic struck, it was difficult to travel back to Lebanon to help my friends and family out, so donating to the relief fund was a great way to give back and help the people. Unfortunately, Lebanon is still in a state of economic collapse and political instability today, which tears me apart since it's such a beautiful country filled with wonderful people who are suffering. I'm working hard to find ways to give back to my Lebanese community in this difficult time.

You are also politically active and made documentaries on current social issues. One of them focuses on homelessness happening in Atlanta. How was the experience like documenting it?
I believe it's very important to get involved politically. I've been an Activist for a while now, and filming my documentary on Atlanta's Homelessness situation has been an ongoing project for the past few years. I started documenting the tragic situation in 2019 because I came across many incredible homeless men and women who were in a difficult position; a lot of whom were rendered homeless because they were unable to afford housing in Atlanta, suffered from domestic violence, or were financially ruined because of a medical disease. I've been tracking this one couple throughout the pandemic, they used to own 2 restaurants but lost everything when the wife was diagnosed with Cancer. The husband currently works at Whole Foods and makes 15$/hour, while the wife has MS. Nevertheless, they're both unable to pay for housing. Documenting their experience, as well as that of many others, has been difficult and upsetting for me because I believe there needs to be better social, housing, and financial programs set up to help them. In a nation that has Billionaires, we need to find ways to take care of every member of society, and so I'm trying my best to come up with solutions I think will help the Atlanta homeless community.

How do you think our government can raise awareness for this and improve the situation? If our readers would like to contribute, what can they do? Are there any resources you could share?
First and foremost, we need to humanize homeless people, as well as treat them with love, compassion, and respect. I think our government can consider giving out Universal Basic Income (UBI) to members of society who are in need of financial assistance and are unable to afford the basic securities others can. We need to set up more communal fridges in communities so that we don't waste food and help give the homeless more access to meals. Moreover, I think we need to have free health care so that people don't get financially bankrupt because of a medical condition. We could also make it a point to provide free housing to single mothers, college students, and families who are outpriced by the housing market. Furthermore, it's important to be able to provide housing to individuals suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues. We need to be able to provide them with free housing and recovery programs to help them deal with their addictions. Mental health asylums shut down in the late 90s and early 2000s, which left so many individuals suffering from mental health issues without the proper care and housing they needed. There are many ways to assist the homelessness crisis, e.g. in Atlanta, we need to provide better funding for the homeless shelters, youth programs, and social programs helping domestic violence survivors. If your readers are interested in helping out, they are local to Atlanta please reach out to the Atlanta Mission Org. They have many incredible programs and services they offer to the homeless community. If your readers are living in a different city, I would recommend donating to local homeless shelters, preparing food drives when they're able to, and always treating the homeless community with compassion.

Your other documentary revolves around the 40 days of protests for the George Floyd and Black lives matter. Can you share with us how it felt to be involved in this protest?
One of the most memorable experiences I've ever had was getting involved in the George Floyd protests. For decades, African Americans have been suffering at the hands of systematic racism, injustice, and mistreatment. Coming from overseas, I always looked up to America's ideals, and so, I felt it was important to fight for Justice and Equality. When the George Floyd protests started, there was so much pain and suffering all around, which is why I joined the movement for 40 days consistently. I was fortunate enough to meet so many incredible people along the way, to experience many wonderful lessons I would've otherwise not known, and to have been able to document the journey. It was beautiful, uplifting, and inspiring. It left me with a great sense of purpose and helped me realize that a lot of work is still needed.

According to PNAS, police violence is a leading cause of death for young men in the United States. Over the life course, about 1 in every 1,000 black men can expect to be killed by police. What are your thoughts on this? How can influential people and organizations raise awareness for this cause for our government to start taking this seriously?
I am aware of the statistics, and I personally find it revolting. We desperately need to change the policing system we have, in order to properly train officers, help get rid of their subconscious bias, and teach the police de-escalation tactics. There is so much work needed to be done to make sure that innocent men, women, and children aren't at higher risks of being killed just for the color of their skin. We could each take the time to use our platforms to spread awareness, contact our local representatives, and demand that our government officials take this matter seriously. African Americans make up 13.4% of the American population, so to find out that 1 in 1,000 Black men get shot by the police is absolutely disturbing. Police officers are meant to serve and protect the public, but in many cases, they cause more harm to the Black community. We need to find a way to change that as soon as possible because it's been over a year since the George Floyd protests, but there's still a lot of work needed to be done.

Are there any other upcoming projects? Should we be on the lookout for anything new from you?
My mockumentary should be completed by the beginning of September, and once it's edited, it will be released to the public in the Spring. I'm looking forward to the release of my debut album, 'Purple Skies' on August 26. I'm going to be directing the music videos, so as to make up a visual album to accompany the tracks. I'm also going to be working as an Assistant Director, Script Supervisor, Screenwriter, and Actress in the upcoming Black Rom-Com, 'Couples Trip', directed by Angela Dunlap. The movie is going to be in production in mid-September and should be premiering sometime in Spring 2022. It's going to be exciting to see this project come to life since we have such a wonderful cast and crew behind it. Besides that, I'm the head writer for a British Animated Series, called 'Chicken Star' that should hopefully be out sometime in Spring 2022. I'm really excited to share more of my upcoming projects with you and your incredible readers through my website and my social media account.

How have you been staying positive during the lockdown?
What's been helping me stay positive during the lockdown has been working on improving and healing myself, keeping busy with projects that bring meaning to my life, and sharing my comedy with those I love. I've been overcoming my depression by working on new projects with people who inspire me, and I felt a great sense of relief when I recently finished my album 'Purple Skies'. Music, Film, Social causes, writing, and most importantly, my family, have all brought me so much love, happiness, and a sense of purpose. That's what's keeping me hopeful and giving me the strength I need to handle this difficult period.

What is your motto in life?
’Be the best version of yourself every day.' Every day is a gift, and it's important to learn, improve and become a better person. Treating others with love, respect and compassion are also very important. So my motto in life is to be the best I can be, with myself and everyone around me.

To keep up with Lara Mamoun, please follow her via the platforms below:
https://www.ellemoonmusic.com/
https://www.laramamoun.com/
Instagram - @laramaamoun
We The People Movement

Creativity Never Stops for Lara Mamoun