This short film will screen with other short films in Block 11 | ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Sunday, December 11th at 2pm
Palm Springs Art Museum. Palm Springs, California.
Buy Tickets Here
After Isabella’s encounter with a curandera, she takes a pregnancy test that derails the plans she has for herself. After discussing the positive test with her boyfriend Carlos, he berates her for considering an abortion. Isabella, decides to use an ointment that was given to her by Griselda, the curandera. Carlos wakes up in a nightmare where he is confronted with children, a pregnant belly and an unruly scientist. He awakes with a new found respect for Isabella.
Born and raised in Barstow, CA, Sylvia Ray is a filmmaker based in Los Angeles. With a Korean mother and a Chicano dad, Sylvia draws inspiration from her desert-town upbringing, travels abroad, her fashion background, and motherhood. Her focus is to tell stories that highlight women and people of color while bridging cultural and economic gaps in a truthful and entertaining way.
She is a fellow of HBO’s Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Program for Hola Mexico Film Festival in both 2019 and 2020’s Alumni Edition. Sylvia has directed several award-winning short films, music videos/commercials and web series episodes. Her short film LEN(N)Y was streamed to audiences on Pantaya and DISH Latino and her short film A Period Piece is licensed and will stream on GenreTV. Her pilot episode for MY HUMAN EXPERIENCE is currently winning awards and playing at film festivals internationally.
At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading a short film about abortion written by a man but I started reading with an open mind. After reading, I could immediately see myself directing it. Not only is it multicultural but it also bridges gender gaps, all while being somewhat playful and ridiculous.
It was fun for me to build on visual references I had for this film. The Craft, Rosemary’s Baby and Marriage Story were all inspirations for me. I do feel very proud of this film and the message behind it and hope that it feels cathartic for women and it gets people talking.
I hope you enjoy watching the film!
-Sylvia
