Iman Talabani: A Portrait of a Driven Artist
Iman Talabani, a 25-year-old poet and filmmaker, defies the conventional image of the contemplative artist waiting for inspiration to strike. A self-proclaimed "workaholic," she embodies a relentless drive, drawing inspiration not from artistic musings but from the work ethic of figures like Beyoncé and the unwavering confidence of Zlatan Ibrahimović. Talabani’s life philosophy is succinctly captured in her own words: "People say, ’I need to live in order to create art.’ But I’m already living." This proactive approach is evident in her prolific creative output, spanning poetry, spoken word performances, YouTube content, and now, her debut film, "One Woman Show."
"One Woman Show" is a semi-autobiographical hybrid film that interweaves a theatrical monologue with scenes from Talabani’s youth in Farsta, a suburb of Stockholm. The film revolves around a wooden bench, a central gathering place for Talabani and her friends during their adolescence. This bench becomes a symbolic space representing shared experiences, from first cigarettes and petty thefts to budding friendships and nascent romantic encounters. While Iman (played by her younger sister, Bayan Talabani, and later by Iman herself) is the focal point, the narrative expands beyond her individual story to encompass the universal experiences of young women navigating the complexities of adolescence and forging bonds of sisterhood. The film traces Iman’s journey of self-discovery, symbolized by her pristine white Reebok shoes gradually accumulating the grime and markings of life’s experiences. As Talabani explains, "I am the timeline, but it’s about sisterhood and society."
Talabani’s artistic journey began at the age of 14 when she started writing poetry. She gained recognition as a spoken word artist, performing at prestigious venues like Dramaten and Kulturhuset Stadsteatern. Eight years ago, she was awarded the title of "Ortens bästa poet" (the suburb’s best poet) for her poem "Tillfällig," further cementing her reputation as a rising voice from the suburbs. While acknowledging the significance of this recognition, Talabani now asserts a broader artistic identity: "I carry that label with pride, but it’s diminishing to call me the suburb’s best poet. I’m Sweden’s best poet – put some respect on my name. I’m an artist, period." This declaration reflects her growth as an artist and a rejection of limiting labels.
In recent years, Talabani has shifted her focus to visual storytelling. In 2021, she founded Talabani Productions, leveraging her established YouTube presence and experience creating vlogs and short films. Her most popular video, amassing over 482,000 views, features her reciting her poem "Försent" against a backdrop of a simple piano melody and hip-hop beat. Her YouTube channel has become a platform for connecting with her audience, particularly young women who resonate with her honest and relatable portrayal of life’s challenges and triumphs. Other videos offer life advice, demonstrating her versatility and desire to empower her viewers. Despite her success on YouTube, Talabani has decided to move away from this format, using it primarily as a distribution platform for "One Woman Show." The film, currently available for free online, has garnered over 104,000 views.
Originally conceived as a theatrical monologue for Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, "One Woman Show" evolved into a film during Talabani’s creative process. She explains that the cinematic medium offered a more nuanced approach to storytelling: "I realized this would probably be better as a film. I didn’t want to have to spell everything out – some things don’t hit as hard if you have to say them directly.” This decision, while resulting in a loss of income from the cancelled theatrical production, underscores Talabani’s unwavering commitment to artistic integrity. She considers compromising her vision to be a greater cost than financial loss, stating, "Sure, it can be tough sometimes. But it’s also tough to sell crap you don’t stand behind. I can work, I can sleep at a bus stop, I can go through hell, as long as it’s on my terms."
"One Woman Show," a no-budget independent production funded by Talabani’s savings, became a reality thanks to the support of her community – childhood friends and fellow filmmakers who shared her artistic vision. Despite her significant online following, Talabani has chosen to keep the film freely accessible, prioritizing artistic expression over monetary gain. Just weeks after its release, she remains energized and inspired, stating, "I’ve only just begun. I got such a kick out of finishing the film. Now I’ve done it, and I’ll have a better handle on it next time.” This statement encapsulates Talabani’s unwavering drive and her commitment to continuous artistic growth.
