Kumbalangi Nights inspired my directorial debut: Jasmine Mètivier

Among the many memorable and oddball characters of

Kumbalangi Nights

, Afro-American tourist Nyla added to the novelty of the plot. New York-based Jasmine Mètivier, who gave life to Nyla, is now venturing into direction and is currently working on her directorial debut which will be in the Creole and English languages.

Kumbalangi Nights is a big inspiration behind getting into direction, says Jasmine. “Travelling to a new country and connecting with the people of Kerala was amazing. I saw how hard the

Kumbalangi

Nights team worked, especially director Madhu C Narayanan. His energy pushed me too, in this direction,” she says, adding that her film is also her message to other women to take control. “By directing the movie, I would like to show how women of colour are taking charge of their dreams and aspirations, and converting their ideas into a real vision. We have to narrate our own stories for our ideas and voices to be heard through cinema,” she says.

The film will be an American-Asian movie written by the model-actress’ friend Llyod Balon-Malacquis. “The movie’s cinematography will be by celebrity cinematographer Leonardo Schober, who has now signed a Malayalam movie as well,” she says.

Jasmine divulges that she is trying to create a body of work that is inspired by the “truth, honesty and willingness” that she learnt from Kumbalangi Nights. “I am trying to learn what it means to be a director. After Kumbalangi Nights, I now know what to look for in my film, I am super excited. I will be working in another Malayalam movie soon,” she sums up.