Featured image credit: Shadi Soheili

We chat to Shadi Soheili about RESPECT THE KINK.

What inspired you to create this production?

What inspired me to create this film is the fact it examines Incel culture, gender dynamics, queer identity and assault. Whilst these are heavy topics to cover in a fifteen-minute short film, I needed to showcase them on the screen, as I believe they are topics that are extremely prevalent for my generation, and how we navigate the world. Additionally, Incels are rarely spoken about or represented onscreen, yet there are so many that my friends and I know/have encountered who have a burning haltered for women like myself. Some might argue giving them a platform like a film is damaging, but how else are people going to learn that they exist? It is important to showcase all sides of humanity. Moreover, as someone who is grappling with their own trauma, the essence of this film is about being wounded, and that was a big impetus to make this film.

What challenges did you face in creating this production?

Some of the challenges we faced making this film included production getting pushed back a year due to a global pandemic, our vintage car breaking down in a busy intersection, resulting in us only have forty minutes to shoot the interior car scene, and it raining everyday despite shooting in summer. Whilst these challenges affected the film greatly, we made the best of it, as it was a gift to finally make this film, and work with everyone onboard. 

What are you hoping audiences will take away from watching this film?

I am hoping audiences can learn more about themselves through these characters, as they all represent different elements we all have within ourselves. Moreover, I hope audiences can realise their own inner strength they possess, as I feel as though society pushes us down to not know how powerful we are. 

Additionally, I think the audience should know that my visual style was heavily inspired by Andrea Arnold and Yorgos Lanthimos, two distinctly different directors. I was constantly questioned about combining tones and whether the audience would get confused. Whilst these were valid questions, sticking to one style wouldn’t have done justice to how unique the film became. Additionally, shooting on an anamorphic lens gave the film a rich texture, allowing the audience to have a visceral experience whilst watching the characters unfold. 

For more on RESPECT THE KINK follow respectthekink_shortfilm and
therealslimshadi on Instagram.