I first met Vibha Gulati at New York Film Academy. I was auditioning for what would be my very first film (not counting a couple of random projects in college), portraying a Hare Krishna in "Lord Krishna."
I don't remember much about the audition itself, but I remember many things about the shoot. I was terrified. I didn't want to do "too much" in front of the camera. My first shot was walking on the streets of New York City. Just walking. Who knew something I did every day would be so daunting.
Once we moved inside I can remember the ease of Vibha's direction. We were both pretty new to this, but she had an ease about her from the very start. I don't remember having any dialogue, but Vibha assured me that my thoughts would be conveyed on the screen. She was right. I have never forgotten that bit of guidance over the years.
Vibha's latest film, currently making the rounds at various film festivals, and having recently made its Los Angeles premiere, is "Forbidden." I've watched the gestation of this project on social media for some time and was unbelievably excited for the opportunity to watch it.
Forbidden is a short dramatic thriller that follows a Sikh woman named Jasleen, who is running away with her Muslim lover, Fahwaz.
Jasleen's culture and religious conscious family wants her to marry within the Sikh community and are shocked when she suddenly disappears.
Vibha's inspiration came from her own life. "Forbidden is inspired by the true story of my friend who was brutally murdered for being in love with someone her family did not approve of."
The "Forbidden" website described honor killings as "acts of vengeance, usually death, committed by male family members against female family members, who are held to have brought dishonor upon the family.
A woman can be targeted by her family for a variety of reasons, including: dressing in a manner unacceptable to the family, wanting to terminate or prevent an arranged marriage, desiring to marry by her own choice, having a friend of a different culture or social group, having a profile on social media, engaging in a homosexual relationship, wanting a divorce, being raped, abducted or arrested or not playing by the rules of the household."
The film opens with Jasleen (Salony Luthra) running away from her family with Fahwaz (Gopal Divan), her boyfriend. Set to a beautiful score, Fahwaz attempts to ease Jasleen's mind, reminding her "You jump, I jump. Always."
I found myself smiling and hopeful, thinking that maybe this couple could make it, but when they pull over at a gas station to use the restroom, I wanted to tell them to get back in the car. Keep going. I know how things like this work in horror movies, and you can't stop for breaks!
Vibha makes it clear from this very scene that daylight and public places are not a safe zone, not for this couple. Not in this film. But at the same time, we continue to think that maybe, just maybe these two stand a chance. Maybe her brother will protect her. Maybe the father, in time will get over it. Maybe they can make it to their destination. Maybe.
As I neared the end of the film I began to realize something...that nod to Titanic? "You jump, I jump"...It doesn't end well for Jack and Rose either.
Vibha has written and directed a heartbreaking thriller, experimenting with genre. It is at once both a romance and a thriller, the suspense palpable from the very start up until the credits. As we head into the final minutes of the film, I felt like I was watching a beautifully shot snuff film. Think "The Last House on the Left." The 72 version, not the terrible remake. Unafraid to get close and show us the truth of this story, it becomes both difficult and unavoidable to watch.
A friend of mine recently commented on Twitter that people who complain about artists, particularly writers "getting political" know nothing about art or writing.
It seems that in today's age, if we continue to marginalize people for who they love, we could end up in a very, very dark place here in the "free world."
"This work is my tribute to this amazing woman," Vibha says, "who had the courage and the conviction to follow her heart and stand up to her family."
Here's to everyone who is courageous enough to love.
