Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Asis Sethi is making a positive difference with films

by Asjad Nazir

POWERFUL short film A Bloody Mess has been winning awards at festivals around the world and raising awareness about the taboo topic of menstruation.


Co-written, co-produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Asis Sethi, the thought-provoking short revolves around a young South Asian girl battling against her family’s traditional beliefs surrounding menstruation, which comes with rules prohibiting her from having an open dialogue with her father

about periods.

The short film has been triggering some important conversations and making a positive difference.

Eastern Eye caught up with fast emerging filmmaking talent Asis Sethi to talk about A Bloody Mess and making movies with a message.

What first connected you to filmmaking?

I remember being in elementary school and wanting my first camera. My father and uncle had a business, shooting and editing videos for individuals, and the camera fascinated me. I watched films growing up and stories fascinated me. It was a perfect combination – the camera and a story.

What drew you towards meaningful films with a message?

I like films generally. I love a Rohit Shetty film as much as one from Rajkumar Hirani or a Christopher Nolan. I love short films like Bebaak and web series like Masaba Masaba. My drive to tell stories with a message comes from the realities that I am surrounded with. I want to raise my voice for those who have historically not had one.

What inspired you to make your short film A Bloody Mess?

I remember my friend telling me how she ran away from home when she got her period, with no idea of what she had. Another few friends thought they had an illness and were going to die. Those initial conversations led to interviews with younger women, teenagers today, who said that while they knew what a period was from school, they were still expected to keep hush about it at home. We spoke to mainly South Asian women and many felt they couldn’t even say the word ‘period’ out loud. I wanted to normalise the conversation surrounding menstruation.

Tell us about the film?

A Bloody Mess is about Varsha, a teenager who is struggling to tell her father that she has her period and is not sick. Stuck between her mother’s conservative values and her own thoughts of being free, she tries to find a way to tell her father about her period, so she does not feel caged because of the restrictions her mother imposes on her, every time she is on her period.

What was the biggest challenge of making this film?

It was challenging casting for the film because of the subject matter. There was some initial hesitation from South Asian teenage girls while auditioning for the role of Varsha. After going over many auditions, we struck gold with Maria Crystal Melo, who interestingly, is not South Asian. She did complete justice to the role, as she went through the process of realising what it feels like to not be able to say what she wants to. It was also challenging casting for Aarti, but Annie Koshy came through really well. Devanshu Narang was a natural pick for the father’s role.

How much has the positive response and many awards meant to you?

I think awards are a huge testament to my wonderful cast and crew’s hard work, but also help reaffirm my belief that I want to keep making cinema that means something to me. They help me stay out of the trap of relying on some sort of formula or get lured by the more conventional scripts.

What are key messages you want people to take away from the film?

Let’s talk periods. Let’s talk menstruation. Normalise the conversation.

How much can a film make a positive change according to you?

I didn’t think a short film could really make such a huge impact. I first realised that people were starting to listen to the message of the film when I did a radio interview a few months ago. I was nervous to hear from the live callers of the South Asian community. However, when the callers started speaking, many South Asian men thanked me for making them more comfortable while approaching their daughters about periods.

Tell us more…

Some said that they would just watch our film together so menstruation would not be an awkward thing to discuss. I was surprised, but pleasantly so.

What can we expect next from you?

I have a short film in post-production called Still. I am in the writing process for another short film on the postpartum journey of a new mother. I am currently in the development phase of a feature film script as well.

What inspires you as a filmmaker?

The women around me. It doesn’t matter what you do as a career, how much money you make, how many followers you have, if you work hard or if you hustle, you inspire me. I know each hard working woman has an incredible journey and story to tell.

www.flyawayfilms.ca

More For You

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

Sukhvinder Kaur: Finding light in the tunnel of loneliness

LONELINESS can affect people of all ages and backgrounds in different ways. Sukhvinder Kaur was deeply impacted by social isolation after her marriage broke down, leaving her alone with two young children.

Despite a happy upbringing, a supportive family, and a strong community network, she began experiencing uncomfortable thoughts that didn’t resonate with her, leading to increased isolation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world.

iStock

Ayurveda: The ancient science of balance and well-being

Ashwini Gurujii

Ayurveda finds it origin in one of the four Vedas, the Atharvaveda. Brahma ji propounded the science of Ayurveda and passed it on to Daksh Prajapati, who gave it to Ashwini Kumars, the physicians of devas, and they gave it to Indra.

Ayurveda was given to mankind at the time of satyug, when the diseases though existed had not yet manifested in the physical world. The level of existence was so pure and selfless that diseases were unable to manifest then. The rishis of satyug realized that in the times to come, the thoughts of people are going to become so polluted that diseases will find the required environment to manifest and then the need of Ayurveda would arise, so Rishi Bharadwaj went up to Indra Dev and asked for this divine science.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why helping ageing parents is precious

As our parents age, we embrace new roles in their lives with compassion and care.

Why helping ageing parents is precious

AS OUR parents’ health begins to deteriorate, one of the hardest things in life is watching them age. Some can no longer walk for more than 10 minutes, and their memory isn’t what it used to be. There are also hidden complications associated with ageing.

I grew up in a working-class family. My dad was named Simba when he lived back in Zanzibar, Africa. He swam in the open ocean and ran for miles. The joinery skills he learned from his father have been passed down to my brother and me. My mum worked long hours sewing and in factories to provide for us, ensuring we had everything we needed. She also taught me never to rely on anyone for anything, which has shaped me into the strong, independent woman I am today.

Keep ReadingShow less
Spring-clock-change-iStock

Circadian rhythms regulate physiological processes in living organisms, including plants, animals, and even bacteria. (Photo: iStock)

How the spring clock change impacts sleep and health

EVERY YEAR, about a quarter of the world's population adjusts their clocks for daylight saving time (DST).

While it may seem like a small change, some experience fatigue, irritability, and brain fog in the days that follow. For night owls, the adjustment can take weeks.

Keep ReadingShow less
Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

Bring the past into the present for a richer celebration

Reconnecting with lost Eid traditions

EID is a joyous time filled with unity, reflection, and celebration.

While the essence of the celebration has remained unchanged across centuries, the way this special day is celebrated has evolved, with many older traditions being replaced by modern practices and technological advancements.

Keep ReadingShow less