Filmmaking has always been a dream of Shaji Kamalasanan.
The Evans biomedical engineer joined forces with Yasim Kolathayil, another engineer to direct their first feature film “AnGsT.”
“You can always combine your passion with your profession,” said Kamalasanan, who has worked on other film projects before launching out on his own.
“AnGsT” focuses on teen mental health and the added challenges South Asian teens find.
As the father of two teenagers, Kamalasanan found the subject close to his heart.
Jay, the protagonist in “AnGsT”, is diagnosed with depression. He’s socially awkward, which is only made worse from his speech impediment. He’s bullied and withdraws into himself. His parents place added pressure on him by comparing him to his academically successful, older sister.
“South Asian families generally give high importance to education and push their kids to achieve more and stay on top of their competitors. This can be quite traumatic on the youngsters mental health and can have disastrous effect,” he said. “As a director, my vision was to showcase the mental trauma that some of the youngsters go through and what part does the parents and society play in it.”
When Jay finally finds someone he thinks understands him, a conflict arises with that friend causing him further stress.
Without giving the plot away, Kamalasanan said the teen acts out.
Kamalasanan said the past few years have impacted teen mental health especially with COVID cutting off interaction among teens and causing them to spend more time in front of the TV and other electronic devices.
“AnGsT” was shot in and around the Augusta area in November 2021. Some locations included in the film were the Savannah Rapids, Dunkin Donuts on Furys Ferry Road and in West Lake.
Kamalasanan said they are entering the movie into a variety of film festivals including Sundance.
Once the film has gone through the festival circuit, Kamalasanan would like to have a showing in the area.
Kamalasanan said “AnGsT” is the first, but he knows it won’t be the last of the films he makes
During COVID, he worked on other scripts, and he’s looking for a producer for additional projects.
But for now, he’s focusing on “AnGsT.”
“This film is our baby,” he said.
To learn more about the movie and to keep track of its progress in film festivals, visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/movieangst.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
