Biography of an American Hostess
Synopsis
As an Indian American woman, the Hostess finds herself the target of expectations and misconceptions from both family and the customers she serves, Indians and Americans alike. Only when she finally tries to get away from everyone does she encounter someone who understands her, though barely speaking to her at all.
Hostess is a story about the feelings of alienation of the second-generation Indian American woman contrasted with the rare, golden event of simply connecting with someone.
Production Details
Writer/ Producer/ Director: Shilpa Sunthankar Film Description: Narrative Short Shooting Format: Digital Video, 24 fps Camera: Panasonic DVX 100 Running Time: 18 min. 13 sec Location: Portland and Garibaldi, Oregon, USA Completion Date: October 2003
Crew Director of Photography: Randall Timmerman
Casting Director: Lana Veenker
Assistant Director: Kari Coleman
Production Coordinator: Michaela Cotter
Script Supervisor: Sandy Parker
Sound Recordist: Jesse "Nordy" Nordhausen
Gaffer: John Nichols
Key Grip: Tom Stark
Grip: Joe Vitellaro
Motorcycle “Speedcam:” Jerry L. Buxbaum
Editor: Jennifer Zea
Sound Design: Jesse Nordhausen
Post Supervisor: Trevor Cable
Props/ Set Dressing: Steve Waters, Simon Hill
Still Photographer: Sandy Parker, Jim Willmarth
Caterer: Tonya Miller
Production Assistants: Lisa Cicala, Daren Claymon, Jacquline Yerly
Cast:The Hostess: Shilpa Sunthankar
Woman Diner: Judith M. Ford
Sally: Trish Egan
Sally's Husband: Jim Becker
Honey: Kristin Coleman
Drunk Husband: Garland Lyons
Other Couple: Ritah Parrish, David Burnett
Young Man: Matt Morris
Raju: Siddhartha Chakravarti
Businessman Diner: Alan H. King
Waitress: Jeanette Burkhardt
Balloon Vendor: Shantu Shah
Featuring Music by:
Crystin Byrd
And The Crystin Byrd Band
http://www.crystinbyrd.com
&
Sreevidhya Chandramouli
10th Generation Descendent of the Karaikudi Veena Tradition
And the award-winning Indian restaurant:
Plainfield's Mayur
Cuisine of India
http:///www.plainfields.com
Festival Tour:
2004 FILMI Toronto South Asian Film Festival
Toronto, ON
2004 L.A. Asian Pacific Film & Video Festival
Los Angeles, CA
*Recommended a MUST SEE by programmers!
2004 IAAC: Indian Diaspora Film Festival
New York, NY
* Award Finalist
2004 Northwest Film & Video Festival
Portland, OR *Opening Night
2004 Seattle South Asian Film Festival
Seattle, WA *Closing Night
2004 Dallas South Asian Film Festival
Dallas, TX
2005 Portland International Film Festival
Portland, OR
2004 Kelso Film Festival
Kelso, WA *3rd Place Audience Award
2004 Hot Curry Film Festival
New York, NY
2004 Asian Film Festival of Dallas
Dallas, TX
2004 Longbaugh Film Festival
Portland, OR
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