Awareness Film Festival - Reset
A dark drama, RESET explores addiction and recovery, through the eyes of Rylee, a mixed race American teen.
Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Arun K. Vir
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was inspired by my daughter's journey into addiction, eating disorder and her recovery. It was originally a cleansing process and soon turned into a short film. I'm of South Asian background - my children are mixed-race. When I was looking for resources for my daughter, there was virtually nothing out there for young women of color. She would typically be the only female of color in therapy groups...
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
It's important to talk about our challenges and issues. Storytelling, movies, books are a powerful way to share our experiences and continue the conversation. There are zero films about teens of color coping with body image, addiction issues. Many narratives that I've seen depict young black teens as poor, victims of gang violence, women addicts.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
My family has similar history with alcohol, mental health... and as I mentioned my own experience of supporting my daughter gave me the courage to talk about it. As someone whose sat in groups, parent meetings, to learn about the disease of addiction, you realize the problems are not unique to one set of race or their status in society. I'd walk into a room, look around, and notice that everyone had the same look on their faces as me.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The script did help us get some film support. People who read the script wanted to support a film around addiction but more particularly wanted to bring a personal touch to it by supporting us. The film has played at numerous festivals abroad and the US. In Africa and India, where it has been screened at women's festivals around health, I'm particularly glad because in many of these communities, women can't talk about eating disorders, body image.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The feed back has been overwhelming at times. We have been asked to screen at treatment centers, and at recovery festivals.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
It has been heartwarming to hear the stories of other people who are coping with addiction, or have faced it and are in recovery. Other times, in Q&A, people have talked about losing loved ones... so it's been challenging as well. My realization that we need more resources and more platforms to talk about this problem within our own communities is really important.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
To reach more ears and eyes... to provide a way for people to talk to each other...
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I am developing a series (for TV) based on the film... so looking for producers who have an interest.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
RESET is already had an impact... would like to continue the work.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
To discuss mental health issues, encourage young people of color, especially young girls and young women to feel comfortable talking about body image, eating disorders, depression, addiction.
Would you like to add anything else?
Just excited to be screening again to a wider audience in Los Angeles.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I have two screenplays that are in final stages. One is a black historical drama centered around the story of a black woman who filed a lawsuit against the airline industry and won her case in 1960 to become one of the first black flight attendants. Another Romantic Comedy centered around the wedding of two men: one black and one south asian.... Sweet Home Alabama with an Indian twist...
My feature script Suburban Turban was voted by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as Finalist for the Academy Nicholl Fellowship 2016.
Interview: October 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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RESET
A dark drama, RESET explores addiction and recovery, through the eyes of Rylee, a mixed race American teen.
Length:30 mins
Director:Arun K. Vir
Producer: Lance Dickinson, Arun K. Vir
Writer: Arun K. Vir, Salma Vir-Banks
About the writer, director and producer:
About Arun K. Vir - Writer-Director-Producer
An Award-winning filmmaker, Arun Vir's screenplay THE LAST WEEKEND earned her the prestigious “Directing Workshop for Women Award” sponsored by the American Film Institute and Gale Anne Hurd and was Arun’s first short film, which starred Suzzanne Douglas (Parenthood). The Last Weekend won “Best Short” at the Pan African Film Festival.
Lance Dickinson producer/executive producer
Lance Dickinson serves as president of Pachyderm Pictures, an independent film company based in Los Angeles. Lance’s experience as an established filmmaker spans 18years, with 50+ projects in film and television such as Stand Up Guys, The Artist, Yes Man, Angie Tribeca, Parks and Recreations, Great News..
Key cast: Camille Bright, Nandini Minocha, A. Russell Andrews, Walter Cox, Nicola Lambo
Social media handles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RESETtheshortfilm/
Twitter: ArunKVir
Where can I see it in the next month?
please send a note to arunvirproductions@gmail.com
for private screenings, educational screenings, or copy.