Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anmol Sandhu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Anmol thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?
I believe that most people are multifaceted individuals with a diverse range of interests that have to fit within categories or check certain boxes in order to fill a specific role. The last thing I want to be is the filmmaker who’s known as, “Oh he’s that Indian guy who makes movies Indian movies about being Indian.” I think that was something that came up after my last two short films were based on South Asian stories, themes, and tone. Starting out in my filmmaking career, I feel it’s important to pay respects and notice to the identity you are and the upbringing that influenced you. Especially feeling the lack of representation growing up, I felt the need to help start putting my people on the map. But, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m more than just a specific genre or category. The last thing I want is to be a Quentin Tarantino or a Wes Anderson who has a distinct/signature style, instead of a Jordan Peele who can master comedy sketches and then transition into horror.
The insight from those experiences have really pushed me to want to see how innovative and bold I can be with each project, for it to be something different and distinct each time. I think it’s a good challenge as an artist to tackle a story and film in a different way each time, rather than refine a formula and trying to create a signature style with each project.
Anmol, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
The biggest thing that matters to me currently is representation for myself and other South Asians. Growing up there where no role models and the roles that existed were stereotypical ones. But growing up I dealt with a lot of racism, bullying, and discrimination as a 1st-generation middle class Punjabi-American in California’s Central Valley. With that in mind along with the lack of cultural exposure, I didn’t know where I fit in. I was “whitewashed” but was perceived an a foreign outsider, though I was born here. Naturally, I escaped through Film/TV/Internet/Video games. When I was in the 8th grade, my school got a theatre program. That class offered me an outlet to be someone else since I wasn’t comfortable with myself, that I could be anyone else I wanted rather than this kid who had no idea who he was and everyone else telling me who I’m supposed to be. The ability to creatively express myself, tell the stories of my community and of my people have been the motivation for me to pursue a creative career. It means everything to me to represent the stories of those who can’t tell them and to show the world that South Asians exist in more than one way. I never had an Indian role model growing up to show that I could do that, and I find it important to create one so that the next generation of Indian children can know they can be more than whatever preconceived notions of us exist.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
During my second year in graduate school, I was in the process of creating my short film, “The Lion Who Lost His Roar” which tells the story of the last king of the Sikh Empire who has taken to England, whitewashed, and was a prize to Queen Victoria. It’s a period piece set in 1800’s Victorian England and is based on a real historical figure. At the time, I was struggling to find any Punjabi actors to play the part due to a variety of reasons. As such, I had casted myself in the role. I was told not to and to not let race be a factor in casting for this role. Which baffled me to hear that in every which way. Hearing, “Just get a Puerto Rican or someone who looks similar” was enough for me to stand firm and hold to properly represent my own culture which has been severely lacking. Because of that, I was given a C for the class as a result.
And in that moment, the stress of getting a good grade dissipated and I had the satisfaction of knowing I made the film that I want, that I did right by my community, and that I made them and myself proud.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
There is no set pathway or structure on this journey as a creative, you have to make your own path that works for you. The industry is going through a transitionary period and it’s an uphill battle, especially as a person of color trying to carve our their own niche. I mean the struggles are the constant rejections from job applications, ghosted emails, networking connections that don’t follow through, and a lack of accessibility for many creatives simply trying to get their foot through the door.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @anmol_the_animal
