Meet Jacintha Charles | Writer and Director Dave Bates | Designer + Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jacintha Charles and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jacintha, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Staying true to who I am as a person and then channeling that as a writer and filmmaker. When I first started writing my stories, they were more superficial and entertaining without much thought or really having a point of view. When I really started to embrace my identity – as a a South Asian and as a female filmmaker, my mindset shifted with the stories I wanted to tell. I started exploring more about my culture, my years growing up, my experiences from childhood up till now, and infuse all those with an opinion or a point of view. They may or may not speak to people but what I realize is that it definitely sparked conversations and have created an impact. My films started gaining more traction at film festivals and more people, wether it is an audience member, a panelist, a jury member or an organizaton, approach me before or after a screening to comment, discuss or just chat about my film or journey as a filmmaker.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a Writer and Director. I believe being a South Asian female allows me to tell stories from a very different and interesting perspective. Even more so since I come from Singapore, one of the smallest countries in the world, where the Indian race is the minority out of the four races. I am really proud and excited about a feature script I wrote called ,Singapura, which is the old Malay name for now Singapore. It is a coming of age story set during the time of the 1964 race riots between the Chinese and the Malays. Instead of focusing on the politics at hand, I carved out intimate stories between people and their friendships and relationships during that turbulent time. I am also currently working on another feature script called Madhavi, which is about the aftermath of domestic violence. This story is based off of my short film with the same name. The short film has gone on to play at several local and international film festivals like Vail Film Festival, Breckenridge Film Festival, BronzeLens Film festival, Mumbai International Shorts Film Festival, New Filmmakers Los Angeles, International South Asian Film Festival, Vancouver, Alameda International Film Festival amongst others. I’m very proud to say that it won at the prestigious UK Asian Film Festival, Oregon Short Film Festival and Phoenix Short Film Festival.

All these successes did not come easy. Especially when you are trying to kickstart a career at aged 30 in a new country. I started off as an actress and thought that was what I was destined to do but I realized that most of the roles for women like myself are either downplayed or stereotyped. I mean, how many times would you like to see me as the Indian doctor or the best friend? Mentally and emotionally, it got to me. I would be envious of my peers getting better gigs, I was feeling sorry for myself for being older. I was encouraged by my husband to start writing roles for myself and tell my own stories. I resisted because I didn’t think I was capable. I’ve gone through enough rejections, embarrassment, questioned over my skills and talents, passed over so many times from opportunities that to even entertain the notion that I may actually have the talent to write was crazy. I think I already suffered from a case of the imposter syndrome. But I finally dove into it and lo and behold – I loved it. Not only did I love it, others started to appreciate what I had to say too. All I really needed to do was to take the first step of believing in myself. The craft of storytelling will be an ever-learning process for me but one that I have opened my heart and mind to. I was encouraged to ask for funding from The Singapore Film Commission which I thought, oh well, I will try it out for fun. I was stumped when I got it. I went on to direct my first professional short film which played at festivals and received an Award of Merit for Women Filmmakers. I decided to take up a one year intensive in film production which included learning the proper structures of writing, cinematography, editing and directing. It was overwhelming at times but what a journey that was. It just strengthened my resolve and ambition to be a filmmaker full time.

Especially after the George Floyd Incident and during the pandemic, I questioned my artistic contributions and the use of my platform. How did my past affect my present? What should I be prioritizing moving into the future? With this newfound awareness, I started focusing on stories where I have either first hand knowledge of, have been exposed to, have seen or witnessed or have a personal connection to.

I am a better and more mature writer and director today because of the ups and downs of my personal and professional journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’ve learnt not to plan things too much when it comes to vacations wether I am on one, or if anyone is visiting us. So I won’t build an itinerary, I do have my favorites and must-do –

Famous Spots:

Alcatraz – If you are in the city of San Francisco, especially for the first time, yes, I highly recommend visiting Alcatraz. The night visits are especially captivating. But one visit is really enough.

Golden Gate Bridge – Ditto for the Golden Gate Bridge. It is pretty spectacular.

MOMA/ De Young museums – We all should take in a little culture. These places gives us that.

Fillmore/Haight Ashbury/Mission District neighborhoods are worth checking out for shopping, vintage finds, the restaurants, bars and history.

Restaurants :

El-Metate – Super delicious and super affordable Mexican restaurant in the Mission area. Their carnitas and shrimp tacos are the best in my humble opinion.

Waterfall Michelada House – Some of the best Ceviches

Picaro – Casual place with delicious and affordable tapas

Bellota – Pricier tapas in a more refined setting, delicious food and fantastic cocktails

Lolinda – Amazing food, great service, some of the best cocktails with attentive bartenders

Ahaa – Probably the best South Asian Indian food in the city.

Base Camp – Great fusion Nepalese Cuisine

Doppio Zero – One of my favorite pizza spots

Chez Mama – Delightful French cuisine, a casual spot

Zuni – Pricy and elegant with the best roast chicken ever tasted. It will be the first thing the waiter asks about because they prepare it fresh and takes 45 mins.

Hot Dogs from the hot dog street vendors along Valencia or Mission streets. You really can’t go wrong no matter which one you choose to patronize.

Pink Onion – A small, wall to wall Italian joint with some of the best pizzas and pastas. If you are looking for pastas with a cream base, this place hands down makes them the best. No protein needed.

Ramenwell – This Japanese restaurant looks like a hole in the wall but it has a good space inside. Their ramens are the best. Noodles are chewy, meats are tender and flavorful and you can request for the most spicy soup base which will ensure a nose filled with snot.

Bars/Cocktail Lounges :

The Ritespot – Dive bar with quirky musical bands

Asiento – One of the best neighborhood bars with great cocktails serving probably the best bar food in the city.

Thee Parkside – Dive bar with a punk scene serving delicious and crafty hamburgers

Dalva – Small but stylish cocktail bar with a speakeasy bar upstairs. So It’s a bar within a bar.

Hi-Lo – A casual cocktail bar on Polk St

Standard Deviant Brewery – Local brewery with fantastic variety of beers.

Members Only – A stylish cocktail bar with the best hot toddies. Great feeling during winter.

Hotel Biron – This is actually a small wine and beer bar located in a back alley. It is intimate, candle-lit and cozy.

Sports –

Given that this city is the home of NBA champions The Golden State Warriors, it will be worth checking out a game at the impressive Chase centre. Especially while Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson are still playing together.

Out of the city –

Napa Valley – Highly recommend a visit to wine country.

Mendocino – A couple of nights in this small, quaint town can be pretty magical especially during Christmas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It may be a cliche but honestly, with how far I have come in life as a person and as a professional, is really due to my husband, Miikka Skaffari, who is not only my biggest supporter and my best friend but is also creative force being a skillful and talented Photographer. He is also an thoughful and intelligent Executive Producer who supports film of diversity and inclusivity. If I hadn’t met him, I truly don’t think I would have achieved what I have achieved so far. I hope I have done the same for him. It’s not always going to be easy but that’s the kind of journey you want to have and I am incredibly blessed to go through it with a person like him.

Website: jacinthacharles.com, madhavifilm.com

Instagram: madhavifilm

Image Credits
Miikka Skaffari, New Filmmakers Los Angeles, Ken Buchman