Home / Arts and Entertainment / Trailblazing Director Annapurna Sriram Brings Boundary-Pushing 'Fucktoys' Home to LA
Trailblazing Director Annapurna Sriram Brings Boundary-Pushing 'Fucktoys' Home to LA
16 Oct
Summary
- Annapurna Sriram's directorial debut 'Fucktoys' won a Special Jury Award at SXSW
- Sriram describes directing as being "like a really good dom" - firm yet reading the room
- Sriram stars as a fun-loving dominatrix who must lift a curse by earning $1,000
Annapurna Sriram's directorial debut 'Fucktoys' is making its way to Los Angeles after premiering and winning a Special Jury Award at the SXSW Film Festival earlier this year. Sriram, who wrote, directed, and stars in the 16mm indie film, recently sat down with Deadline to discuss her unique approach to filmmaking.
"Being a director is like being a really good dom," Sriram explained. "You have to be firm, but you also have to read the room. You can't just create a lot of pain. You have to create pleasure in pain." This philosophy is evident in 'Fucktoys,' which follows Sriram's character AP, a fun-loving dominatrix who learns from a tarot reader (played by Big Freedia) that she's been cursed. The only way to lift the curse is to come up with $1,000 and sacrifice a baby lamb.
Reuniting with her ex Danni (Sadie Scott), AP hops around the fictional Trashtown, encountering peculiar characters along the way as she tries to earn the necessary funds. Sriram says she wanted to create an "iconic sexpot" role for herself, as she feels there is a lack of such diverse, empowered representations in the industry. With 'Fucktoys,' she aims to subvert the male gaze and celebrate life on the fringes of society.
After months of playing the film at festivals around the world, Sriram is thrilled to bring her "baby" home to Los Angeles, where it will have its LA premiere on October 25th at the TCL Chinese Theatre during AFI Fest.
