About the film:
Yuppie Scum is an eerie and evocative short film directed by a member of Monsoon’s executive team, Arul Gundam. The story critiques relevant cultural and social issues like privilege, capitalism, and feminism, all set against a hauntingly unsettling backdrop. The creative minds behind this film encourage the audience to be cautious of pseudo-feminism and other efforts made by corporations to keep their public reputations clean.
Director’s Note:
It all started with an application. I was looking through scripts selected for the studio process at the Carolina Film Association, and when I read Tsering Lama’s script for “Yuppie Scum”, I instantly connected with it.
So much of what we engage with is nonverbal. Simple cues or body language from people can inform what they are perceived to be like. Film as a medium captures this in a way that has captivated me for my entire life: the little gestures, the images, and the style can say so much more than just words can if used properly.
The script opened up these kinds of possibilities for me. From the perspective of an admittedly privileged person, the criticisms presented of this kind of privilege in the script made for an exciting opportunity in my head when it came to decoration. I don’t believe subtlety is a virtue, but rather a choice, and I enjoyed having the choice to use this script to be able to put across some of my views: the kind of birthright entitlement we depict and criticize in our film leads not only to the exploitation of vulnerable peoples for the advancement of capitalist cronyism, but also to a certain kind of “proactive” defense mechanism which disgusts me just as much.
In the name of diversity and to try and attract the well-wishing of women, underserved people, and also American racial minorities (like myself and the Monsoon team), these corporations give us opportunistic pseudo-feminism and other causes weaponized for their own benefit to try and cover up their crimes.
I would do a few things differently if I had the chance to make this movie again, but I am still so proud of what our team accomplished. I think the frustration I outline above comes through in the film, and crucially, fits into Monsoon’s mission as well.
Enjoy,
Arul Gundam
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“Yippie Scrum” Credits
Cast
Ella Kate Guthrie as "Charlie"
Hayley Minter as "The Woman"
Surbhi Cooduvalli as "Judy"
Tsering Lama as "Melissa"
Chelsea Carrier as "Cathy-Anne"
William Becker as "Ivan"
Crew
Directed & Edited by Arul Gundam
Written by Tsering Lama
Produced & Edited by Chethana Madireddy
Cinematography & Lighting by Melissa Looney
Makeup & Hairstyle by Hayley Minter
Set Design by Noelle Hill
Music by Matthewos Mesfin
Costume Design by Phoebe Martel
Prop & Title Design by Patricia Narbona
Production Assistance by Ellie Reichenbach
Sound by Everybody