“I wandered the interspace for quite some time, searching for stillness and beauty. It was a journey so blissful, I never wanted to return.”

In the world of art, some creators have a unique ability to transform dreams into visual poetry. Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Mohamed A Films, blends dreams with reality, weaving together vulnerability and nostalgia. His creative process, influences, and the balance he maintains between faith and art offer a compelling glimpse into his visionary approach.

WURUUD: How has the art scene in Seattle influenced and shaped your creative journey?

Mohamed: There are not a lot of opportunities or funding out here. For me, it’s usually just from the strengths of me and my friends. There is a lot of talent here but there isn’t a lot of recognition or opportunities for people to bloom.

Your films are often described as surreal and conceptual. Who were your influences in developing this unique style?

My influences definitely include Stanley Kubrick, Andrei Tarkovsky, and Wes Anderson. I try to embody some of their concepts and ideas in my films. They usually take an unconventional approach and tap more into concepts than just the aesthetics of films.

How do you begin the process of creating your films? Where does the concept start?

I tap a lot into myself in order to start creating. My stories are real-life manifestations of myself. I try to embody my feelings, experiences, and dreams. Once I come up with an idea based on what I’ve written down, I start thinking about how to execute it.

Your films beautifully marry visual scenes and poetic elements. What is the intention behind this fusion?

I categorize myself as a visual storyteller, so I let the images tell the whole story instead of creating a lot of dialogue. I feel like human emotions can be captured beautifully through images. I convey people’s emotions through images, moving images, and sounds—whether that be nature sounds or Quranic recitations. I love to create visual poetry.

How do you find a balance between your faith and your films?

There's so much that we can tap into when it comes to art, and I feel like I’ve found the right balance and medium where I can talk about my feelings, my identity, my Islam, and all these different things. A beautiful way to make art is by being able to discuss the darkest parts of myself and the unknown. Being extremely vulnerable has also helped me get closer to my religion.

Through analog film, Mohamed captures the authenticity of storytelling, invoking nostalgia and ethereal beauty that mirrors the essence of his dreams. Balancing his faith with his art, he delves into the depths of his identity, shedding light on the unspoken and weaving together a visual symphony that invites interpretation and introspection.