Meet Nicholas Mihm | Filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicholas Mihm and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicholas, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I come from privilege. And I’m not saying that I grew up a millionaire by any means – but I can’t deny the fact that I grew up in relative comfort and safety. I did not emigrate from some far off, exotic land. I did not escape oppression or violence and arrive to this country seeking safety and opportunity. I have never been close to going hungry. But I think it is that recognition of privilege and the acknowledgment of… and let’s just call it what is – luck – that has allowed me to approach my career as a filmmaker with humility and perspective.

I grew up in Colorado just outside of Denver. My Mom and Dad busted their butts and took many risks to send my sister and me to amazing schools and raise us in a beautiful home surrounded by nature and open space. They worked tremendously hard because of their own backgrounds.

My dad grew up poor and was forced to frequently move around the United States as his parents struggled to find work. My mom grew up in a military family in Indonesia and was constantly moving from island to island, village to village, seeing firsthand the inequities and hardships of daily life in Indonesia. Neither of them seem to have that one place that they could call home, and both have seen and experienced what desperation looks like.

It was luck and circumstance that would eventually bring my parents together – a long story that they are better at telling. In the United States, they would experience several more years of poverty, and a lifetime of xenophobia towards my dark skinned mother. But through 46 years of marriage, they were able to persevere and share an extraordinary life together built upon patience, tenacity, and most of all – empathy. Values that have had major influences on both my sister and me. They taught us the importance of travel and made it a part of our education, providing us with frequent trips to Indonesia where we were exposed to so many of life’s harsh realities and also unexpected beauties that few in our cozy Colorado circle may ever get to experience in their lifetimes.

Because of these experiences, I have learned to walk in the shoes of others, to meet them where they are at in life, and to seek understanding of where they came from – and I have made it my mission as a filmmaker to tell these stories. Whether it is an Iranian parliamentary member who was forced to flee his country because of his progressive ideals, or a frightened Southern California mother trying to protect her children from environmental pollution – understanding one person’s journey can sometimes mean understanding the journey of an entire community.

This is all to say that I am proud that I come from privilege. A word that I think can often be stigmatized, and for good reason. It reminds me of what my parents went through to give us the life that they did, and also our responsibility to pay it forward. In my mind, compassion and empathy are now our most important currency, and it’s my mission to share the wealth.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’ve always loved how Steven Spielberg’s movies are described as “stories about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.” And I know I’ll never be Steven Spielberg, but I’ve always taken that idea to heart when approaching a project, and it has really become my compass.

When I first moved to Los Angeles, I started out making little films about influencers, musicians, artists, etc.. Though I am still grateful for those opportunities because they gave me the chance to make movies for the first time, the subject matter rarely interested me. What I really wanted was to focus on the stories of everyday people who were experiencing something bigger than themselves. And that is how my films In the Dark of the Valley and Bubjan came to be. The subjects in these films are defined by their actions and their character, not by how many instagram followers they have. And I hope to continue that approach for as along as I am able to do this crazy job, wherever in the world that may take me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I must admit that my wife and I are sort of homebodies nowadays. But there are some spots we frequent in West LA.

Jackson Market is a beautiful hidden gem in Culver City. It has an awesome back patio with a koi pond that is a peaceful place to enjoy a coffee and chat.

I have to shoutout Simpang Asia. Some of the best Indonesia food you’ll find in Los Angeles.

Century City Mall is one of the nicest malls in the country and I am at the movie theater almost every week. We would definitely be going to a couple movies during the week.

Downtown Culver City in general has really blossomed into an amazing area. Citizen Market is a great place to grab some food and maybe a cocktail on the roof. But there are so many good places right around there.

The Wolves in DTLA is one of our favorite places. The bar is beautiful and should be a location for a movie. The food and drinks are pretty damn delicious, too.

One of our favorite spots in the South Bay is Hermosa Brewing Company in Hermosa Beach. Great beer, and the food is phenomenal. Those guys are artists.

Leo Carillo beach in Malibu is one of the few dog beaches in the LA area, and one of the most beautiful.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It has to start with my parents, Michael and Nanette. Never once have they ever discouraged me from pursuing a career in the arts and I am so grateful for that. My sister Stefanie is both a teacher and a mom and is absolutely my hero. My wife Rachel has always stood in my corner and supported me. It takes a lot of courage to marry someone aspiring to become a documentary filmmaker and I am so lucky to have a person like her in my life.

Brothers, Brandon and Derek Smith were my producing partners on our first, Emmy nominated feature film, In the Dark of the Valley. Making a movie with very little money or experience can test a friendship, and I’m forever grateful to those two for sticking it out with me.

The Order of the Golden Spoon – Dylan Mulick, Jason Bowers, Jon Peter, and Rostam Zafari. My current work and travel family. These three gentleman are on a mission to change the world, and I appreciate them for letting me tag along.

Website: https://www.nicholasmihm.com

Instagram: n_mihmsy

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-mihm-694a1a52

Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5716591/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_in_0_q_Nicholas%2520Mihm

Image Credits
Bubjan artwork by Anna Bron
Bubjan screening stills by Monique Hernandez
In the Dark of the Valley Artwork by Victoria Blair
Behind-the-scenes stills by Kelly Balch