Al Haqeeqa
Synopsis of “Inflatable K:”
A spirited Zafira, parks her dusty old car in her favorite quiet spot the day before her wedding. This could be the last time she is there. She indulges in all her favorite things; laughing and singing her lungs out with her unusual best friend. But the perfect setting turns into the perfect disaster when her bubble is abruptly deflated.
Written by: Yvonne Wandera
Simply, this film spoke to my heart. It was a story about a young woman called Zafira, who created a whole other world, because the real world left her feeling lonely and isolated. It just shows the incredible power of our minds. We always find ways to soothe ourselves and heal.
We spent an intense couple of days in Agua Dulce, Los Angeles with a camera, a few crew members, a car and an intimate setting. Intensely and passionately creating the world of Zafira, a dynamic woman who left all of us humbled.
Simply, this film spoke to my heart. It was a story about a young woman called Zafira, who created a whole other world, because the real world left her feeling lonely and isolated. tweet
The incredible team of predominantly women, Shruti (Sadana) my co star, who was dynamite, Emeline (Rodelas) our producer and Dale (Resteghini) a prolific director, gave their all to this project. When it was finally released and we were gathering significant press traction and an interview with a U.S. cable TV channel, it was wonderful to have a mass audience introduced to this. I was so touched to get personal responses from people around the world who started a conversation about it and what it meant to them.
When we got our first tweet that just spewed hate, I was shocked. At that point, the film wasn’t out yet and it was shocking that someone chose to react to the image of a Black Muslim woman wearing a hijab like that. Then the film was released online and we received even more disturbing and threatening comments and I couldn’t ignore a responsibility I felt. The responsibility to say, out loud, that it is not ok, it should not be tolerated and racial or religious hate should have no place to rest in this world.
Visit www.inflatablek.com to view the entirety of the short.
Screenplay: Yvonne Wandera
Director: Dale Resteghini
Producer: Emeline Rodelas
