I was initially inspired to explore identity as an ever-changing concept from reading The Lies That Bind by Kwame Anthony Appiah. I began to analyse the aspects of one's identity as conscious choices by the individual, as well as subconscious exposure to a multitude of experiences, people and places. I later came across the film, The Stuart Hall Project by John Akomfrah. I found that I completely aligned with Stuart Hall's theories and ideas, and it became the basis of my research for the film. A lot of what is discussed in I Am, came from a personal perspective, particularly the monologue that I performed. I became quite personally invested in the project because of my own fascination with the complexity and even intimidating nature of my own identity, and that of my family, and to approach it in an open, honest and even analytical sense.
