Don’t limit yourself, you can do anything you imagine

– Guyanese-American film director

Shundell Prasad-Jha is a talented and creative Guyanese-American film director, screenwriter and producer, who is currently receiving accolades for her directorial skills and for internationally showcasing her rich Guyanese heritage.

The director, who is also a film aficionado, has worked for many major media outlets including The Wall Street Journal, CNN and the Emmy Award winning show “The Amazing Race.” She is a graduate of Tisch School of the Arts in the US, where she majored in Film and TV Production. She began her career at HBO’s highly acclaimed documentary division in New York.
Shundell’s first documentary film, “Once More Removed – A journey back to India”, has been screened theatrically in New York, Toronto and Atlanta; the film has also been invited by various governments for screenings worldwide, including London, Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Mauritius, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, a witty Shundell speaks about inspiration in directing and writing her films and unforgettable journeys in her career.
Sunday Magazine: Where did you grow up?
Shundell: I was born and spent the first six years of my life in Corentyne, Berbice. My dad was from Rose Hall and my mom from Number 62 Village. I can’t recall too many fond memories from my childhood because my parents left me behind with relatives when they moved to the US. They came here to build a better life to raise me in. I joined them two years later in New York. Before you start feeling sorry for me, rest assured I’m 100 percent happy with my life now. I’m married to the most amazing man who tolerates my childish antics – so I didn’t miss out on much! On a more serious note, it’s sad that so many families from Guyana have been torn apart – there are so many issues this causes – I deal with this subject matter in my most recent film, “Festival of Lights,” which opens in theatres in the US this November.
Sunday Magazine: What sparked your interest to get into films?
Shundell: When I was 16 I started modelling, not runway or anything – I’m too short for that, but I did magazine spreads and was a dancer in Whitney Houston, Prince and other music videos. This was much to the chagrin of my parents. However, I enjoyed the experience of being on a movie set and naturally I wanted to be in charge, so when the time came to declare a major at university, I gravitated to Directing. Today, I get to call myself a ‘Film Director’ and I’m quite pleased with this, it’s a lot cooler than dancing around in music videos.
Sunday Magazine: What is involved in what you do?
Shundell: There is way too much involved in what I do to sum up in one paragraph – however, the famous film director Orson Welles phrased it well, “It’s about two percent movie-making and ninety-eight percent hustling.”
Sunday Magazine: What’s the origin of your inspiration?
Shundell: Interestingly, though I only lived in Guyana for the first 6 years of my life, I find that most of my inspiration comes from there. Two out of the three films I’ve made have been partially shot in Guyana. The rest of my inspiration comes from my travels in India and my husband, Amit Kumar Jha.
Sunday Magazine: What would you say is your most significant success?
Shundell: My most significant success, personally, was to find the descendants of my forefathers who left India, still living in India. This was the subject matter of “Once More Removed.” The film was about me tracing my roots to India with the challenge of finding the descendants of my great-great-great grandparents. And, to everyone’s surprise – I did it! Who would have expected it – 120 years later!
Sunday Magazine: How do you cope with challenges?
Shundell: I suppose the most challenging part of filmmaking is securing financing. I’ve been lucky in this sense because the financing has always come. I usually start the filmmaking process with faith in my work and somehow the funds always arrive when they’re supposed to. I guess its faith, hope, God or a combination of them all.
I’ve always liked the quote, “God helps those who help themselves.” I’ve always believed I could do anything – never have I thought, ‘Gee, I can’t do that.’ And, I guess believing is the most important element.
Sunday Magazine: Other than films, what else do you enjoy?
Shundell: On a more surface level – I enjoy living in California and exploring new running tracks and secluded beaches with my husband. It’s so important to be outdoors to exercise and experience nature. My dad just turned 60 and he can run 10 miles in one stretch! I’ve got a long way to go. I also like cooking – my fish curry and rice is said to be the best ever by my friends in here in Los Angeles.
Sunday Magazine: Which of your films is your favourite?
Shundell: Apart from short films and TV shows I’ve worked on, I’ve directed three films: “Once More Removed: A journey back to India,” “Unholy Matrimony: Escape from forced marriage” and “Festival of Lights.” Of these films, “Once More Removed” is my favourite. It solved my lifelong mystery: “Why do I look Indian, but know nothing about India?” I’m also proud of this film because it gave so many people answers to their own questions. I get beautiful letters from people all the time about how this film helped them. I got a letter from a wonderful man in his 70’s, Mr. Persaud. He lived in Queens with his son and was a professor at St. John’s University. I called him up and we chatted for about an hour. He described the Indo-Guyanese population in America in the most profound way. He said, “We are a dislocated lot, but we are not completely destroyed.”
Sunday Magazine: What projects are on your timeline?
Shundell: I’m still recovering from “Festival of Lights.” Once this is complete, I’ll focus my energy on the next big project. In the meantime, I work in the television industry. I recently wrapped up on the new CW music competition show “The Next.” It was fun! I’ve visited Guyana several times, mainly to shoot my films. It would be great to set up a screening of “Festival of Lights” around Diwali time. Our US distributor doesn’t have any ties in Guyana so any venture would have to be an independent one.
Sunday Magazine: Advice for youths?
Shundell: Don’t ever limit yourself. You can do anything you imagine. Set high expectations for yourself and work hard realize them. And, don’t eat too much candy; and remember to brush – no one looks good when their teeth start falling out.
For more information on Shundell’s films visit her website at www.shundellprasad.com (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)