Parental peeves

A SHORT film about the consequences of bad company and peer pressure has been released on a public platform and comes with a caveat for both, youngsters and their parents.

Lurking Traps, which runs for around 15 minutes, focuses on the worries that parents have about their chlidren and their safety, and how managing their teenagers’ problems tactfully is the solution.

The movie was shot in Bahrain and features an all-Indian crew based in the kingdom. Produced, written and directed by Johnson Devassy, the Malayalam language-movie, released at the end of last month, and has already registered more than 5,000 views and 200 likes. Despite the language barrier, fans have resonated with the story and characters, calling the film ‘powerful’ and ‘motivational’, while also lauding the performances.

The plot follows teenager Manju who is a single child and longs for companionship. Actor Akshaya Balagopal brings alive the character. Young audiences will easily strike a chord with her, and older spectators with the parents played convincingly by Rajesh Nair and Pretty Roy. When Manju meets Manu, portrayed by Yudhi Prasobh, she finally finds the friendship she had been yearning for, but is unaware of the impending doom – he is the leader of a gang involved in illicit activities.

“I have always been interested in storytelling and this is my debut film, which I have produced independently,” Johnson, who is from the south Indian state of Kerala, told GulfWeekly. “It’s more of a social project and I’m not making any profits, however, the creative exposure has been truly enriching.

“I would like to thank the cast and crew of Lurking Traps for bringing their talents together to spread an important social message about the mental pressure that parents undergo when their teenaged children befriend the wrong people, and the knack of handling these types of situations,” the creative talent and full-time English teacher at The Indian School Bahrain since 2014 added.

In the film, Manju’s father intelligently manages the issue, a nod to the importance of parents’ awareness about their children’s personalities and activities and offering correct, timely advice.

“While the experience was great, we faced some challenges especially since this is my first time producing a film. Getting the required permissions for the outdoor location was one of the hurdles but we overcame it smoothly. I remember this one time when the shooting was planned and, at the last minute, I found out we wouldn’t be able to get the lights. These are specific lights needed for a shoot and to find a replacement in a short span of time was difficult but we made it,” the Salmaniya resident, who has been living in Bahrain for almost three decades, revealed.

The film was shot across three days at one outdoor location and indoors at actor Pretty’s house.

“The outdoor shots had to be done very early in the day – before 7pm – as the natural lighting would be ideal at the time. Despite the challenges, I was determined to share my story and am truly thankful for the cooperation and support I received from everyone on the team,” Johnson, 60, noted.

Johnson’s family is presently in India but lived in Bahrain for ten years. His three children laid the foundations of their successful careers in the kingdom.

“My daughter Fiona is an embryologist in Chennai. My sons Nigel and Alvin are pursuing their careers in accountancy in Bangalore and Cochin respectively,” he said.

Lurking Traps is available to watch on YouTube on the channel JD Creations and will soon be available with English subtitles.