Spice Sisters is a poignant comedy about family, friendship and searching for the spice in life.
Rohini, a dedicated wife and mother, is restless with life in suburbia. A former actress, she longs for more than the routine of caring for a family that takes her for granted. When the popular reality cooking show Home Cook Heroes announces a call for entries, Rohini decides it’s now or never to make something of her life. She recruits her friend Asha to be her teammate, and with the help of two amateur videographers, the self-named Spice Sisters create an eccentric fusion feast for their audition tape.
Rohini is devastated when they don’t make the cut. But when their audition is profiled on the show’s website for its imagination and flair, Rohini finds that a new opportunity for the Spice Sisters is born.
Kumud Merani as the central character Rohini has demonstrated her acting talents very well and leaves an impact about the role she played. Equally the supporting role was very well done by Sandra Aranha as Asha.
What is the motivating factor behind this wonderful theme? Speaking to the Indian Telegraph, the Sydney based writer director Shiela Jaydev says” I am inspired by films that tap into universal emotions from very specific story worlds, like Monsoon Wedding, Pride and Trans America. While Spice Sisters explores the alienation and loneliness of the migrant experience, and their hidden stories of sacrifice, it is ultimately a universal story about longing for recognition, and finding the courage to make a change.
Now the film is complete, we have begun entering the film into film festivals and hope the film will get some good exposure screening at film festivals both domestically and internationally. After the film has done the film festival circuit, we will make the film available online as well as seek out television broadcast opportunities. We hope to use the short film as a calling card for other feature length films Emerald Productions is developing. These projects, like Spice Sisters, are heartfelt cross cultural comedy-dramas set in the Indian Diaspora. I am passionate about telling authentic and diverse stories, and I believe audiences want to see films that reflect the multicultural society will live in.”
Shiela has worked in various roles in the film industry over the past 10 years, including in development, production and business affairs with companies and organizations including Scott Free, Matchbox Pictures and Screen NSW. Shiela has teamed up with Prue Williams who has produced many award winning short films and Lyn Norfor of Emerald Productions to bring out this beautiful theme.
SPICE SISTERS
DURATION: 15 MINUTES
WRITER/DIRECTOR: SHEILA JAYADEV
PRODUCER: LYN NORFOR
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: PRUE WILLIAMS
PRODUCTION COMPANY: EMERALD PRODUCTIONS
Key Cast: KUMUD MERANI as Rohini, SANDRA ARANHA as Asha, GERALDINE VISWANATHAN as Priya, ARKA DAS as Sachin, SANJEEV RAJA as Suresh, JACOB WERNER as JB, CHRISTOPHER STOLLERY as Home Cook Heroes Judge
Note: SPICE SISTERS was screened recently in Sydney for cast/crew as a private show. Watch further details of screenings
