The coronavirus pandemic has ushered in a plethora of intense stories marked by a bleakness of tone that has come to pervade much of our lived reality as well in the days that followed outbreak of the virus. Consequently, when a funny, lighthearted narrative about an actor during quarantine appears, it is indeed a refreshing experience. An actor gets a call for an audition one day, but it is clearly for a role that has put him at unease. Reluctantly so, he begins his preparation anyway, working towards recording the audition video at home. The story develops notably supported by visuals displaying potential, weaving an interesting narrative which is moving towards a single moment that would allow the film to deliver its final punch. When it arrives, it is marked by humour and a much-needed buoyancy in a world that has come to be defined more by its lows than highs in the year 2020.

The Selftape | Short Film Nominee

Primarily a solo project, the story is a short one - about two Asian actors feuding over a common agent. Despite the humorous approach and tone of the video, the issues it wants to touch upon are far from that - those of representation of marginalised identities in predominantly white spaces. In this particular case it is communicated through the story of the two characters, both wishing for the other to be dropped from their common agent's list because there is space for only one Asian actor on the representation roster. All of it is endeavoured to be achieved by way of a video call and the consequent footage, a technique employed by several during the coronavirus lockdown and quarantine. The Only Asian is a glimpse into a conversation which wants to engage with these concerns and issues in a lighthearted manner, concluding as swiftly as it had begun.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links