Muslim/Pakistani actress and writer Kausar Mohammed Stars in Highly Anticipated "APPENDAGE" premiering worldwide at SXSW 2023 🏳️🌈
Kausar Mohammed, Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023
We all have self-doubt; that little voice in our head that can make us feel like we're not good enough. How do you personally overcome this?
Oh wee, we all sure do! I have various methods to combat it, because something that might work one day may not work the next. And it's so sneaky! The voice can disguise itself in so many ways, so it never says the exact same thing. One day it may be like, “You’re not good enough!” but once you think you’ve tackled that, it’ll show up in a way that is like “Stop dreaming so big!” So, one way is keeping my mantras around me— both written down and on my phone— that remind me of my power. Another way is talking to the people I love—my family, friends, and partner. A third method is finding something that inspires me and breaks me out of negative ways of thinking—this can be done by watching a movie I’m excited about, dancing to music I love, or just trying new things to prove to myself I am capable of taking on challenges.
As a creative, queer, Muslim, Pakistani working into Hollywood; how much were you able to identify with the character or stories’ metaphor?
I remember while filming, I was going through some stuff. Basically, I wasn’t doing a good job of caring for myself and my needs, placing work before everything. Funnily enough, a visual metaphor of the film got me through this low period. I imagined my inner self, with the primal instincts, needs, and source of my creativity as a little baby Appendage. And that the Kausar who woke up, went to work, and brushed her teeth—she was this outer shell, the guardian of Baby Appendage. It was my job to pay attention to the baby Appendage’s needs and make sure it was doing okay. That sort of differentiation helped me regain trust within myself, reestablishing my relationship with my creative self. I guess it was a spin-off of inner child work, interpreted through horror monster form! That sounds about right for me.
From L to R: Brandon Mychal Smith, Anna Zlokovic Emily Hampshire, Kausar Mohammed Appendage Premiere | SXSW 2023
So, this gruesome little number got quite the buzz at SXSW. That's so exciting. Can you tell us about your experience with APPENDAGE.
Yes! In "Appendage," I play Esther, the best friend of the main character Hannah, a young fashion designer whose anxiety physically manifests. We had our world premiere at SXSW this spring and the audience reaction was incredible. What I love about the film is it really centers a best friendship between two women and lets that be the driving force, which is a refreshing change from the usual hetero love story we see in movies. Our characters' friendship is the heartbeat of the film, and it was really exciting to bring that dynamic to life. Director Anna Zlokovic has done an amazing job of exploring the literal horrors of anxiety while still keeping it funny and enjoyable as a horror comedy. Hadley Robinson as Hannah and Emily Hampshire as Claudia are also incredible in their roles. And of course, I have to give a shoutout to the costume department head Naomi Wolff Lachter for creating such fashionable looks for us! I loved every outfit Esther got to wear and I think when people watch APPENDAGE, they’ll know why! It premieres on Hulu this Fall.
Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis
I understand Appendage has already been acquired by Hulu. Could you see yourselves starring in more horror?
Yes! So excited for the film to hit the platform in the fall. And absolutely, I LOVE horror films and am actively working on writing and starring in them. Truly, ask any of my friends, I am a bit obsessed with the genre. “What does Kausar want to watch?” “Something scary!” I particularly love thematic horror that reflects back to us the horrors of our own society or ourselves. And that’s what I want to be a part of from both the writing and acting angle.
Did you have any favorite shorts, features, documentaries at SXSW 2023?
100%! In addition to the world premiere of APPENDAGE, there were a couple of films I absolutely loved. Big shoutout to Imran J. Khan’s feature MUSTACHE! It’s brilliant. It’s about Muslim, Pakistani American teenager Ilyas, who navigates being at a new school with a mustache his parents won't let him shave. And I loved the horror comedy DEAD ENDERS, starring Maya (Skarlett Redd), who encounters a hostile race of mind-controlling parasites while her shift at the gas station.
Kausar Mohammed | Photo Credit: Shanley Kellis
You are also the co-founder of SHIFT, a racial and gender equity consulting group created by women of color that advocates change and diversity inclusion. What has that fight been like?
Yes! SHIFT was born in 2017, at the height of the #metoo movement, when my co-founders Veline Mojarro, Natalie Bui, and I, all coming from different spaces of art and activism, wanted to bring radical conversations around consent, race, and gender equity into workspaces. We wanted to center the most impacted people in these conversations, particularly Black, Disabled, Trans, Femme, Nonbinary people.
We know JDEI (Justice, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion) work can't be impactful if it's not grounded in institutionalized accountability practices and community care, so that is what we aim to do with SHIFT. We provide trainings, workshops, and facilitation to campuses, workspaces, and organizations. I’m grateful to be in continuous studentship of anti-oppression work and discovery of how we can reimagine more equitable systems within Hollywood and beyond.
You can learn more about SHIFT at www.shiftingculture.co.
You are quite the accomplished actress; what advice do have for other minority actresses, particularly queer women of color?
I would say trust your gut. Our whole lives we’re often told to listen to everyone other than ourselves. But on the real real, we often know what’s best for ourselves and just gotta sink in to hear it.
Do you have any upcoming projects you can share with us?
I’m so excited about some acting projects (from the voice over and on-camera end) that are in the works. Along with some of my writing projects that are in development but that I can’t talk about yet! So, keep in touch through @kausartheperson and keep an eye out for APPENDAGE coming out on Hulu in the Fall.