My life was turned upside down and everything I cherished I lost. Everything an 8-year-old girl should have had was taken away from me – no phones, no friends, no school, and most importantly, no freedom.
I was in an abusive relationship. It took two years of my life. It took another two for me to realise it was abusive.
I am a woman in her 50s of Indian nationality and Persian ancestry and I constantly have to battle the trifecta of ageism, sexism and racism in this industry. I can do much more than just be your mother. I can be a doctor or a lawyer or a villain - I would make a great villain by the way.
During a triggered state, I deeply hated the rising feeling of rage from within. It left me worried that I was turning into my mother, which was a great fear of mine. I wanted to be the best parent I could and surround my children with love and support - two things I never felt from my own mother.
I know that at the juncture of my intersectionality as a black woman, as a dark-skinned black woman, if I don't acknowledge my achievements, it's likely I would be the first to be shut down, misunderstood, silenced and erased from anything I put my hands to.
Making people connect makes a great film and in a world where black people are dehumanised in so many places and so many ways, presenting the humanity of black people will always be important to me.
Sheila was on a clear journey to overcome the obstacles in her life and to achieve her dream of becoming a photojournalist by going back to school at the age of 59. I felt that her story could bring hope to people facing similar challenges.
I don’t have a personal experience with period poverty but during my research on the taboo of menstruation, I found an article about period poverty. Period poverty has a double taboo, first because of menstruation and second because of poverty.
As a parent, I've dismissed the notion of a perfect work-life balance. Such an ideal, I've come to believe, often proves elusive, potentially yielding frustration. Instead, my philosophy revolves around radical acceptance, deliberate prioritisation, time with loved ones & adept time management.