Skip to main content
Close

The Script Lab Podcast: Minhal Baig — Writer/Director of HALA and BOJACK HORSEMAN + Actress Geraldine Viswanathan

By Shanee Edwards · December 9, 2019

The new film Hala stars Geraldine Viswanathan and was written and directed by Minhal Baig. This coming-of-age film is about a Muslim teenage girl coping with the unraveling of her family as she tries to navigate her sexuality and fit into two diverse cultures.

Executive produced by Jada Pinket Smith, this coming of age film is at times charming and playful and other times, heartbreaking. The film was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance earlier this year, partly due to Geraldine’s powerhouse performance.

In this episode, Minhal talks about sneaking out to go to her own prom because her parents didn’t want her dancing with boys, what it’s like to make a deeply personal film, and writing for shows like Bojack Horseman.

Hala is currently playing in theaters in limited release and will stream on Apple TV+ starting Dec. 6.

Listen to the podcast below.


Shanee Edwards graduated from UCLA Film School with an MFA in Screenwriting and is currently the film critic for SheKnows.com. She recently won the Next MacGyver television writing competition to create a TV show about a female engineer. Her pilot, Ada and the Machine, is currently in development with America Ferrera’s Take Fountain Productions. You can follow her on Twitter: @ShaneeEdwards


For all the latest from The Script Lab, be sure to follow us on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.