Ruba Nadda

For a woman who began her foray into writing out of boredom, Ruba Nadda has come a long way. Born in Montreal of Arab descent, Nadda found her love of writing through entertaining her sister with novellas she would write while spending time in Syria.

Later, Nadda pursued her love of literature at York and as her time there winded down she took a chance and applied (and was accepted) to study film production at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU.

After her stint in Manhattan, Nadda returned to Toronto where she proceeded to work on several short films and became a Jill-of-all-trades -- acting, writing, producing, directing and learning the ropes as a cinematographer. She created several award-winning short films including Lost Woman Story, Interstate Love Story, So Far Gone and Damascus Nights.

In 2000, Nadda made her feature film debut with the movie I Always Come To You, about three days in the lives of three sisters.

Nadda followed up her debut with the features Unsettled, Sabah and Cairo Time. Looking back at her body of work, she has become synonymous with telling stories of romance and cross-cultural love affairs. She's also known for making films in a short amount of time - Sabah was filmed in Toronto in only 20 days.

Nadda's latest and most well known film, Cairo Time, stars the talented Patricia Clarkson and tells the story of a married woman who travels to Egypt to meet her husband, only to fall in love with someone else.

What is your earliest recollection of knowing you wanted to entertain others in some way?

My sister Layla and I were stuck in Syria when I was 14 and we had exhausted all the literature we had brought with us from Canada. She demanded I write something for her and I did and she thought it was terrific and insisted I write more for her. So for the next five years, I wrote novella after novella trying to entertain her until we finally got back to Canada. At that point, the habit was so constant. I couldn't stop writing.

Who or what has been your greatest inspiration?

Probably my loneliness -- traveling so much throughout my childhood and those experiences I went through with my sister. That time is so engraved in my memory that any time now I feel lethargic, fear propels me forward. I feel lucky to have that Canadian passport because I know that had my family decided to stay in Damascus, I would not be where I am right now.

What made you decide to move to Toronto and build a career in film here?

Pure chance brought me to Toronto. I was born in Lachine and my parents lugged us around all across Canada (Manitoba, BC, Ontario, Middle East) and on a whim, they decided to come back from Syria to Toronto and I've been here ever since. It's been 19 years now and I love the city. I call it home.

How was your experience at NYU?

I made my first short at NYU. It was awesome. I was so confused. I had no idea what lenses were or what aperture meant. It was amazing. I was so optimistic about the future and I felt totally in command of my fate and future.

What has been your most challenging film to direct?

Cairo Time. I was battling so many different problems and situations that at times were out of my control (Muslim government, scorching weather conditions, sand storms, 20 million people in one city, insane bureaucracy, censorship official from the government). I was lucky in that I spoke the language fluently and could manoeuvre in and out as either a Canadian or an Arab, but I had a moment at the very start when I landed and thought, this is crazy, what have I done.

But, after that moment, I approached the shoot like I did everything else I have in my life since I was a really young kid. I forced fate, chance, and luck into my corner and willed the damn movie to happen. I was also lucky in that I deeply trusted my crew - and I knew they had my back.

What role do you find more challenging -- writing or directing?

I think everyone thinks they can direct but both are complex and very difficult. I love writing. It's easy for me and at the same time, it's brutal. I have to create a world, characters , tone, pace, plot. I have to create a story from scratch. It can be a bit of a nightmare sometimes. That and it's a lonely profession, sad and depressing, because you're alone all day trying to figure out a story. Directing is a challenge but it's so much fun!

Cairo Time was extremely well received. Did you expect it to garner the attention that it has?

You know, you never know if a movie is going to do well. I was crazy about making this movie and committed from the very beginning. I hoped and prayed it would be received so well and you always fantasize about it, but you just never know. I knew deep down that audiences would respond because I put my guts on the screen.

A lot of your work seems to deal with romance and cross-cultural love affairs, is this intentional or something you subconsciously gravitate toward?

Totally subconscious!

Do you think being a woman in this business changes the way you're perceived as a filmmaker? Do you think it changes the ways you make films?

It definitely doesn't change the way I make a movie but it's slightly bothersome how I have to deal with ageism and sexism. People are always surprised I can command a budget and a crew. I'm always battling and having to try extra hard to convince whomever that yes, I can pull it off. Not only can I pull it off, but that I can come in under budget and on time; my movies sell, they travel and they get sold to other countries for theatrical releases.

What has been the most difficult obstacle you have had to face in this industry?

I came into the film industry from nowhere, from nothing, no family connections, no connections period. I've had to almost claw my way into this position. It's a really difficult, time consuming, heart breaking, you name it, profession. I think the most difficult obstacle is myself.

When I started out at NYU, I was so naive and optimistic and now I'm a little tired, a little run down, a little scared. I have this dream and the problem with dreams is there is no sure fire guarantee. I feel ridiculously happy that Cairo Time has done so well. I was prepared to walk away completely had I not been able to pull off making it.

What are some of the current projects you're working on?

I'm working on two feature films, already written, thank god. One we're going to shoot this summer - it's a fast paced thriller set in the Middle East and another film, also a thriller, set in Georgian Bay! I'm really excited about both!

Do you have any advice for people who are trying to break into the industry?

It's all about perseverance, believing in yourself, and not taking no for an answer. I can't begin to tell you how many times people have told me what I wanted to make was impossible, that it could never happen. You have to have a really solid base of faith in yourself - It really doesn't matter what anyone says. If you believe it can happen, it can. I'm living proof of it.