Layers of Memory

Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory (HSAM) is a condition that allows people who have it to remember every moment of their life in distinct detail. Only about 60 people have been confirmed to have this condition. While most find it to be an interesting condition, a pseudo-superpower, those who live with it often suffer with it. Nima Veiseh is a New York City based artist who has learned to live with HSAM and channel it into his art and work.

Born in Grand Haven, Michigan as the child of Iranian parents, Nima Veiseh had a relatively normal childhood. That is until a car ride with his friend on his 16th birthday in a blizzard. From this moment on, Nima began to remember things in intimate detail, almost being able to feel memories as if they were happening in the moment. Feeling the feelings, smelling the smells, Nima began to think he was crazy and began to experience struggles with mental health. In the midst of this, Nima began to excel further in his education, attending MIT, Georgetown, and Columbia.

A judo competitor in his younger years, Nima used to travel to tournaments around the world, chasing his Olympic dreams. In his downtime during travels, Nima would go to art museums. With the use of his HSAM, Nima was educated by the museums and began to take art classes. These classes would eventually transition him into a career as an artist whose extraordinary memory is inherently present in his art on the canvas. Art not only provided Nima with another career, but an outlet for his mental health and the struggles with his condition.

This project is currently in post-production.

Credits:

Director and Producer: Matan Berman

Producer: Sabrina Katz

Producer: Quinn Ketchum

Editor and Story Producer: Milo DeRiu-Crowley

Executive Producer: Idrissou Mora-Kpai

Cinematographers: Ajan Patel, Quinn Ketchum

Additional Camera Work : Adam Coe

Story Consultant: Ben Basem

Additional Production Work: Alanna Orgill