hello

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salam

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Hallo

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hello 〰️ salam 〰️ Hallo 〰️

I’m traveller, creative, storyteller, filmmaker, born, raised, and educated in the midwest, USA. I’m a big-time lover of art, culture, spirituality, and stories- the ways they bring us together and simultaneously set us all apart.

WHO AM I?

a leap of faith:

My name is Molly Savage, (yes that’s my actual name). I was born in Wisconsin, raised in Minnesota, educated in Iowa, and changed forever in the Middle East.

In January of 2021 I came to a crossroads. I was sitting at the table in my uncle’s basement apartment, scrolling through my emails. I had been working in the film industry as a production assistant for the last 5 months- a statement that if you told me I’d be saying 6 months ago, I’d think you were crazy. But I did it; I quit my retail job during covid, took a risk and followed the path. The only thing I knew that I loved was storytelling and I was tired of not doing it. Now here I am, looking at an email telling me I’ve landed my dream apartment at the artist lofts in Minneapolis. But something doesn't feel right. After months of back and forth to get in, I can’t believe I’m about to reject it.

Just 6 weeks after rejecting that apartment, & selling my car, I land in Cairo, Egypt: my first solo travelled city & only the beginning of the most life-changing year of my life so far. In this moment I couldn’t be happier, and my parents couldn’t be more terrified. I could probably write an entire book on my experience, but I’ll cut to the point:

Taking that leap & traveling in Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine taught me the power of storytelling. As an American, I knew the moment I landed that the stories I had been told about these places had been no where near the actual truth. I left one year later changed to my very core, in the most beautiful & simultaneously uncomfortable ways possible.

I'm ready to book

a new path

While I traveling, I practiced my craft of storytelling- carrying my camera along, I collaborated with local organizations (running social media, photoshoots, promotional videos). By the time I came home, I had a full portfolio and many more stories to tell.

Oh, did I mention I converted to Islam in my travels? So, back-up: I ended up taking my Shahada (declaration of faith) in Al Quds (Jerusalem) while traveling and had the immense privilege of praying my first prayers as a new Muslim in Al Aqsa Mosque (the 3rd most holy site in Islam). I think that’s the part I’ll write that book about.

Anyways, once I was back in Minnesota, the next challenge I faced was finding my American Muslim community & continuing down the path of learning & growing in faith. Luckily, I was able to connect & collaborate with incredible organizations like Reviving Sisterhood & Rabata that helped me do just that (and allowed be to aid in there storytelling needs as well). I also quickly learned about the need for a woman videographer within the Muslim community in Minnesota.

savland is born

All it took was my friend, Ikraan, to ask if I’d be willing to film her wedding video and before I knew it, Savland Productions was born. I never intended to film wedding videos because frankly, I never liked the wedding videos I saw- all very posed, dramatic, and inauthentic. But the way Ikraan allowed me to tell her story in such a unique, authentic way made me immediately fall in love with idea of doing wedding films a bit… differently.

At Savland our mission is to make the world a better place through creative & intentional storytelling. A wedding filmmaker with depth, eh? I know, It's a pretty big statement for wedding films, but I’m not kidding. I genuinely believe that the power of storytelling changes the world.

If you’re looking for an off-the-wall wedding film or a not-your-average nikkah film, you’re in the right place. Maybe you’re Muslim, love my style, and feel more comfy with a woman in the room on your special day. Or maybe you want someone to tell your story who does everything she can to respect and honor your culture, the way it should always be. Either way, I’m glad you’re here- now let’s tell your story.