Julietta writes: I recently found myself at a trampoline park, the only adult jumping amongst a storm of kids. And to be honest with you, I wasn’t surprised (nor would my close friends be). I have a keen appreciation for the ‘funner’ things in life: The sillier rides at Luna Park? Count me in. A convoy of giant pool floaties in Palm Springs? I’m there. Random karaoke on a Tuesday night? Do you even need to ask?!
My penchant for silliness might be because I didn’t get to do many fun things as a kid. Instead, as a kid, I learnt to live without a lot of things: sometimes without a fridge, sometimes without hot water, for a while without working plumbing and more times than I can remember, my family lived without a home.
But here’s the thing: for years I didn’t speak, let alone write, about my background, because along with the unfun life that is poverty, came its hired goon: Shame. And I felt it deeply.
But the wonderful thing is, as an adult, I am now very thankful for many things. A comfortable bed, a warm coat in winter, knowing where my next meal is coming from. And now I’ve demoted Shame to an occasional annoyance, I’m also profoundly thankful that, difficult though it is, I can write stories based on my experiences, stories that create empathy for people who grew up like me and convey emotionally that no-one should have to live through the invisibility that is poverty.
And because of all I’ve gone through, my thankfulness is accompanied by exceptional joyfulness when my voice as a Writer/Director is acknowledged, particularly when it’s for a story that’s emotionally close to my own.
My project The Sound of Light, which is inspired by my experiences growing up, has advanced to the second round of selections for the 2024 Sundance Screenwriter’s Lab.
This is the second year in a row the project has gotten this far and the fourth time my projects have been shortlisted for a Sundance lab. In its very early stages, it was one of nine international projects selected for Venice’s Biennale College -Cinema. I don’t know what will happen next but I do know it’s a script that is very openly and intimately me and which I’m very proud of. Karaoke anyone?!