Still from 'Nune'
Still from ‘Nune’

This short film is tailored to the youth coming of age in the 21st century.

Bullying continues to run rampant through all sections of society, especially thriving among the young.

This new short film from director Ji Strangeway and produced by GYATRi Media tells the story of a 15-year-old girl who creates a fantasy world to escape the pain of social rejection and bullying.

Nune (pronounced noo-nay) is a 30-minute film tailored to the youth coming of age in the 21st century and experiencing the changing views of the LGBTQ community.

Written and directed by Strangeway, she says the film was inspired by her love of the classic fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling, a story she considers to be a valuable reminder of the special nature of being “different”.

The film follows Nune Lusparian (Brianna Joy Chomer), a Mexican-Armenian student that suffers abuse from a privileged high school clique for being “different.” Briana Enright (Jessica Lauren)  is the sensitive and beautiful cheerleader who goes out on a limb for Nune.

However, one of Nune’s chief tormentors is Briana’s boyfriend. As rumours spread that Briana might be gay, tensions begin to grow and the cheerleader’s perfect reputation takes some heavy hits.

 

Throughout the film, the girls’ developing feelings toward each other are focused on.  How can Nune change and support the one who comes to her aid?

While the story is simple, Strangeway highlighted how the “incredibly powerful message teaches us to peacefully rise above our darkest nights, not through martyrdom, brute force, or bloodshed; but via self-discovery.

“Nune Lusparian is the ‘swan’ in my film, who can’t see the beauty within herself until someone who represents society’s ideal mirrors her beauty back to her.

“It is essential that beauty is used in my film to symbolize the importance of ideals.”

Nune will be released on Google Play on July 26, 2016. You can pre-order Nune on iTunes. The film will be available for streaming/download in 59 territories worldwide including the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia.