Ashika Kuruvilla

(PW: MachliJoseph23)

DON’T LOSE THE LESSON: Director, this film was funded by my 2019 BAFTA John Grist Scholarship.

Synopsis: Machli Joseph was a seven-time CUNY women’s basketball championship coach who pleaded guilty to embezzling money from Baruch College. He went from being a well respected and charming coach and mentor to having to give up his whole career because of one bad decision. As Machli serves a 20 month sentence in federal prison, Ashika Kuruvilla looks for the answers to the question— how did all this affect him and the people he impacted the most, his players? Told from the perspective of his players, Don’t Lose The Lesson delves into the effects and lessons learnt from making the wrong decisions and the ripple effect of a sentencing from the federal government. 

VIDUALS REEL: Camera, Editor and Creative Director

Synopsis: Viduals is a community-oriented platform that I and a fellow artist designed to support artists by visually showcasing their individual perspectives. The platform acts as a series of profiles that highlights the features’ intent, process and aesthetic. Fashion is at the heart of the page as it is one of the most immediate ways one can express the self; for many it is an extension and translation of thoughts, emotions and state of mind. This is a reel of all the featured artist.

{THE AND}: Director, Camera Operator and Editor

Synopsis: {THE AND} by THE SKIN DEEP is an Emmy award-winning documentary series exploring human emotion, intimacy and connection in relationships. This journey started with a simple idea: to illuminate the relationship - the space between - couples. capturing genuine, heartfelt conversations between two people.

She’s A Runner: Director and Editor

Synopsis: Through the use of a compilation of footage from my annual visits to my home country India and new footage of my familiar routes in New York City; She’s A Runner depicts my emotions of anxiety and uncertainty of belonging in the places I called home at two different points in my life. I’ve dealt with a patriarchal society that has forced me to leave so I don’t put limitations on my ambitions and moved to society where oppression surrounds me by only a few miles for being a woman of color. The poetry in the piece connects the two places because of the perils that they’ve given me, moreover they are contrasted by characteristics such as cultural differences and geographical location.

Rape Channel:  Director and Editor

Synopsis: In this video, my goal was to explore the idea of time, visually, accompanied by uncanny recorded sounds from various media outlets to comment on a social issue (sexual assault). The candle is a symbol of a women's body in relationship to being a victim of SA, her body slowly fades to nothing while society flips through channels on television that all hint at the brutality and irony of SA. 

My intention was to comment on the idea that media overwhelms us with a whole lot of information, all almost equally relevant, but as humans we may only choose to stop and listen to the ones that are most relevant to us. As a result, the attention that social change needs, isn't necessarily being given. 

Music Videos: Director and Editor

Birds Of The Same Feather: Director and Editor

Synopsis: “Birds of the same feather flock together.” You’d think this is the case for most but it is not. Society has put a greater value on the working class in a corporate setting, while restraining artists and deeming their efforts to have less importance. An artist herself, Ashika Kuruvilla understands the hurdles that one faces trying to gain recognition for artistic work. Her mission is to challenge the notion that an artist’s work is inferior to someone working “nine to five.” Complemented by her effortless word play, the video highlights the haptic and cognitive functions of this dichotomy by mirroring the two side by side. For example, the motion a graffiti artist makes with his spray can is compared to an accountant writing his numbers on a white board. By doing so she eliminates this stigma, and allows you to visually connect with artists to see their true value.

In-Dependence: Director and Editor

Synopsis: A short documentary that plays homage to an immigrant artist friendship and connection.

Prix Fixe: Co-Director and Editor

Synopsis: A documentary that a fellow classmate and I created tells the story of a NYC sous chef- Jamie Hogg- Wharekawa through compelling visuals of a full prix- fixe meal. The interview and visuals were structured to reflect how he started in the industry- the appetizer, the grueling work for sacrifices such as unsustainable compensation- the main entree, and the reward in fulfilling a passion- the dessert. This was featured on Baruch College's online journalism publication Dollars and Sense.  

Other Roles:

Out of The Shadows: Sound Mixer

How to Say Goodbye: Production Assistant

Remember Who We Are: Producer and 1st A.D

Ni Aqui Ni Alla: Cinematographer

{THE AND}: Director and Editor