Rawan Rahim, the Iraqi-Lebanese artist with an animated film for adults

posted on: Sep 20, 2015

There’s very little information about you on the Internet, so, tell us, who exactly is Rawan Rahim?
Hmm… I haven’t thought about that in a long time but let me see…

I am the eldest of three girls. I was born in 1986 in Washington D.C to a Lebanese mother and an Iraqi father. Ever since then I feel like I have been constantly on the move. I have lived in 11 different houses, in five different cities, sometimes simultaneously, which has and still can leave me a bit disoriented at times. I travel a lot. Not really because I want to but more because that’s just how it is. I am a bit tired.

In terms of my professional background: Art history, Interior design and fine art… All different but all the same if you ask me.

[I’m obsessed] with Japanese culture especially studio Ghibli Animation and Haruki Murakami ([I have] watched all the works and have read all the books). I have been studying the language for over seven years now, still not very good at it though. Actually I am obsessed with classic animation and it has always been my shameless pleasure. I also collect a lot of old things. Things that I think have lost their way, I find them and then Iput them in my house. Specific old photographs, telephones, sewing machines, bottles, toys, etc. Currently living between New York and Beirut. Married to the boy who used to hit me in the playground (but he says he doesn’t remember).

All in all I would say Rawan Rahim is Rawan Rahim. No one really.

What is Lilou, the short film, about and what/who was your inspiration to create Lilou? Could you described Lilou in one word?
Lilou is a concept that has been in my life for the past 15 years. I came up with a doodle of this little girl one day in a boring, heavy class and since then I have never looked back. I used to write stories for fun and do drawings of her living her life. I never took it seriously until I thought I actually had something. Then, one day I started a blog, then I wrote and illustrated a book that never got published. If you want to know more about her you can follow her on Instagram or Facebook.

Lilou the short film is about reality, empathy and facing ones fears. I don’t want to give it away!

Lilou in one word?…. That’s hard because she is about many things.. But I think I can do it in a phrase: A reminder of the Eternal Child.

By watching the trailer, the audience guesses the animated short is meant for a younger audience. What is the message you want to bring forward in your art?
It’s funny, a lot of people have asked me if Lilou is directed at a younger audience. It is not. It is directed at everyone, especially for those in the 25-45 age group. People in that age group need a Lilou more than kids. Kids don’t need to be reminded to be things…they are what they are.

What is one thing you wished you’d known when you were younger?
99% of problems don’t matter. Get over it. Fast.

 

Source: stepfeed.com